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LETTERS 



Off 



RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS 



WRITTEN BT 



DIVERS FRIENDS, DECEASED. 



FIRST PUBLISHED IN LONDON, 

BY JOHN KEJYDALL.-~\%0% 



t\ 



BURLINGTON, N 3 



fcE-PUBLISHED BY DAVID ALLINSON, 
J. RAKESTRAW, PRINTER. 

1805. 



PREFACE. 



IT is thought that the friendly and familiar 
letters which are here collected, would not 
only be instructive and pleasant to those of 
the same religious society with the writers of 
them, but might tend to shew the disposition 
and views of this Society, better than a trea- 
tise written purposely in the defence of the 
principles professed by it. 

The reader will perceive an unfeigned love 
and affection to have prevailed in the minds of 
the wiiters, one towards another; and that 
their principal view was to promote the I: 
interests of their friends, It will be seen alstf^ 
that in thus expressing their sentiments on re- 
ligious subjects, without any expectation of 
having them made public, they agree in all the 
essential principles of the religion of their gr 
Lord and Master Jesus Christ, in whom alone 
their hope of salvation was placed. It is true, 
they more insist upon the practice of piety and 



IV 



a virtuous conduct, than upon speculative 
views of the Truth, or ceremonial institu- 
tions ; which may be helpful to those who use 
them conscientiously, but are not to be 
esteemed essential to our happiness. 

Though it is not usual with those of the 
Society of which the writers of the following 
letters were members, to express the names 
of God and Christ so frequently in their 
writings and conversations, as some other reli- 
giously disposed persons, it proceeds not 
from any doubt, or disbelief in their minds, 
concerning the great truths of the Christian 
religion. They fully believe what is said in 
the Holy Scriptures of the miraculous concep- 
tion of Jesus Christ, our Lord ; his suffer- 
ings, and death on the cross, his resurrection 
and ascension ; as also his mediation, and inter- 
cession with the Father for lost man ; and, that 
there is no salvation but in and through him. 
They desire to think upon these awful truths 
with great reverence, but are cautious of mak- 
ing them a topic of common conversation, 
lest their w r eight and importance should be les- 
sened ; at the same time they approve of re- 
ligious conversation, with a due regard to the 
subject, and sense of their own weakness, 
and of the the need they have of wisdom to 



V 



direct their speech, lest they should touch 
sacred things, as with unhallowed hands. 

It may be remarked that though they do not 
use those ceremonies which some professors 
of the Christian religion seem to think neces- 
sary to retain, esteeming them not essential, 
and as being liable to abuse by too great 
a stress being placed upon them, to the ne- 
glect of the more vital part of religion; yet 
they desire to be united to the living body 
of Christ, which consists of members distin- 
guished by various names and professions, 
and dispersed through different parts of the 
earth. These they desire to embrace, as 
brethren in Christ ; partakers of the same 
excellent privileges, of which all the children 
of the one universal Parent, and the one 
Saviour partake. 

It was found difficult to place the letters in 
the order of time in which they were written, 
but it may be observed, they are all of the 
last century, and some of them of very late 
date. Many extracts from letters of our late 
much esteemed friends John Rutty and 
Richard Shackletoa, of Ireland, are introduc- 
ed, which contain such sentiments on reli- 
gious subjects, as, it is thought, will be vqtj 
acceptable to the reader. 

A 2 



LETTERS. 



LETTER I. 



T 



HERE is not one among thy sorrowful 
acquaintance who hath felt the force of 
sympathy with thee, on the present afflicting 
occasion, with greater tenderness than myself; 
although I have not hitherto expressed it. — I 
ow r n, I seldom chuse to meet the painful gust 
of sorrow with calm advice ; I would rather 
mingle the tear of sympathy , and aid the 
solemn tribute due to those who are no more ; 
religion allows it ; for his friend Jesus wept. 
But it is now high time for the violence of 
sorrow to subside, and the mind to endeavour 
after a calm acquiescence in the disposition of 
unerring wisdom, which hath numbered the 
hairs of our head ; and not one of them falls 
to the ground unnoticed of him. I know some 
mournful considerations urged for a place with 
thee : a beloved brother dead, on a distant 



8 

shore, uncertain whether every act of tender 
assistance was yielded him; butremember, dear 
friend, the provision of the highest reached 
him there, and that the everlasting arm sup- 
ports and succours the islands afar off! I have 
not a doubt of his being admitted where the 
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary 
are at rest. 

Endeavour, therefore, to suppress the sigh 
and the tear which border upon murmuring : 
good is the Lord in all his works : he deals 
with his family in a wisdom we cannot com- 
prehend : my heart is too full for language to 
discharge, and my feeble hand hardly sustains 
this labour : but I wanted to mingle w T ith thee 
the tear of condolence, on account of the 
dear deceased ; and to endeavour to lead to a 
calm resignation, and to a pursuit of riches, 
unchangeable in their nature, and everlasting 
in their duration. 



LETTER II. 

roth Mo. 9th, 1771. 
DESIRES for thy welfare have frequently 
suggesed sentiments, which a variety of en- 
gagements, or indisposition, have prevented 
my intimating to thee ; this consideration hath 



9 

also prevailed, What can I say to himwhich he 
knows not, either with respect to his present 
or future well-being ? the opportunities of in- 
formation, outwardly, and the impressions of 
essential truths, inwardly, have foreclosed 
every plea of ignorance, of duty, or of what 
makes for peace. But remember, that happi- 
ness cbnsisteth not in knowledge ; the words 
of our great Lord are, M If ye know these 
" things, happy are ye if ye do them." My 
soul seeks earnestly, that the blessing of faith- 
fulness may accompany the privilege of 
knowledge ; otherwise the greater will be the 
condemnation. 

Thy lot is changed from the warm bosom 
of society to a land of drought, where the dis- 
tilling of heavenly doctrine outwardly as the 
dew, is little known, and with many little de- 
sired. Nevertheless, those who seek wis- 
dom, so as to be made wise unto salvation, 
may find in themselves the Sowings of that ri- 
ver which makes glad the whole city of God. 
Feel after this in thy own heart, to preserve 
thee, among the few names in that Sardis who 
walk in white, and have not defiled their gar- 
ments ; that so thy peace may be promoted, 
and others helped. Think of this awful 
query, " What is a man profited, if he could 



10 

gain the whole world, and lose his own 
soul :" 

The climate is often unhealthy ; let it put 
thee upon thy guard, in every respect, and 
raise fervent care, that whenever the Master 
of the house cometh, he may not find thee 
sleeping, or worse employed. 

I am, with sincere desires for thy present and 
eternal happiness, thy assured friend. 

LETTER III. 

2d Mo. 1 8th, 1 7 
I RECEIVED thy awakening epistle, of the 
50th of 12th month last ; the more acceptable 
as it comes from one who seems to have un- 
dergone dispensations of Providence nearly 
like those which have lately fallen to my share. 
I can truly say, I concur with thee in wishing, 
that our being raised up from the brink of the 
grave in this the evening of our day, may oc- 
casion our being more devoted to God, and 
less to the world, and ourselves. I have been 
long of the mind that all our outward con- 
cerns should be consecrated to God, and 
transacted with a constant view to his will, in 
the several stations assigned us : and, that a 
multiplicity of business is a great enemy to 



11 

the spiritual life, and prudentially to be avoid* 
ed in these oar declining days ; which, in an 
especial manner, should be devoted to a pre- 
paration for another life, by a vigilant intro- 
spection into our own hearts ; and submission 
of will to the Divine will, in all things ! 

The inward anatomy, that of the soul, and 
its passions, with the mental medicine, bles- 
sed be God, begins to gain a degree of ascen- 
dency, never known before : and I humbly 
hope, for us both, shall end in triumphing 
over the natural, and corporeal, to which my 
endeavours have hitherto been too much de- 
voted. * I congratulate us, and these nations, 
that the experimental religion, amidst an al- 
most unexampled depravity of manners, a- 
mong priests, and people, is beginning to 
dawn ; I will say, in favour of the doctrine 
of immediate revelation, I never was so tho- 
roughly convinced of it as in my late illness : 
never had so clear a sensation of a being, dis- 
tinct from my own mind, immediately and 
instantaneously enlightening and enamouring 
my soul with the love of eternal truth and jus- 
tice, as then ! nor ever had I so complete 
victory over the peculiar inordinate affections 
of my mind as then : a time I cherish the re- 
membrance of, with great delight, as having 



12 

shewed me the possibility of a complete victo- 
ry over sin. I see now the necessity of deep 
mortification, as a proper discipline, penance, 
and even condition of our being admitted into 
the ocean of undisturbed happiness and glo- 
ry- 

Let me now observe, from the regard I have 
to thy bodily health, (who art also but lately 
immerged from the most imminent danger) that 
on the principle of self-preservation, and with 
very good effect, I practice great economy 
and care of the shattered bodily and mental fa- 
brie ; avoiding inclemencies of weather, eat- 
ing and drinking moderately, and sometimes 
fasting ; reading, and writing less ; and tak- 
ing the air, on a favourable day, before din- 
ner. 

So wishing us to study peace and tranquilli- 
ty of body and mind, I conclude thine affec- 
tionately. 

LETTER IV. 

2d Mo. 14th, 1756. 

I NOW begin, with some degree of zeal 
and affection, and according to thy good re- 
solution and exhortation, to adhere chiefly to 
subjects of a spiritual nature, and such as 



IS 

may have a direct tendency to prepare for a bet- 
ter and happier state ; which it behooves us to 
have frequently in prospect, and to cultivate the 
medicina mentis more, and that of the body 
less : an anxious pursuit of business in the 
medical way is very unsuitable to our situation, 
on the borders of eternity, I have been 
greatly favoured of late with an opportunity of 
retiring to the country a night or two in a 
week, and thus have shaken off such a share 
of business as w^as burdensome, which some 
of the younger men get. I assure thee, I 
find no danger of over doing it in spirituals by 
such conduct ; for still natural and medical 
affairs are too apt to encroach : divers infirmi- 
ties of mind still hang about me, and humble 
me, but are not indulged : on the other hand, 
a victory hath been obtained, in some con- 
siderable degree, to the glory of the good^ 
ness of that omnipresent, omnipotent, and gra- 
cious being, which is ever present with us ! 

In the way of reading, I choose rather to 
digest and apply, than read much : among 
the books that have lately fallen in my way, I 
much value some of those written by William 
Law ; but I fear this excellent man has a lit- 
tle blocked up his way by adhering so much to 
Jacob Behmen ; a-ad as to his account of the 



14 



transactions of angels before the fall, I could 
wish he had never meddled with it. Thomas 
a Kempis is another writer of good estimation, 
especially for his treatise of the following of 
Jesus Christ. 

Thus I have exhibited a small sample of a 
spiritual correspondence ; and shall be glad to 
receive something of this kind from thee : but 
I desire thou mayest not conceive an opinion 
of me beyond my desert; I speak rather of 
my inclination than attainment. I am thy lov- 
ing cousin and 'brother* 

LETTER V. 

llth Mo. 12th, 1756. 

I take notice of thy recommendation of 
Isaac Pennington's writings, to which I am 
a stranger, but hope I shall not long be so. 
I lately received by a friend from America, 
the life of David Brainard, a missionary to the 
Indians ; published at Boston in New England, 
1749, being a spiritual diary, or narrative of 
observations on the state of his own soul. 
A sample of spiritual history, as much pre- 
ferable to natural (in thy and my view) as soul 
is to body : the narrative is solid, weighty, 
and candid \ he appears to have been divinely 



15 

qualified for the work ; and that he saved not 
only his own soul, but the souls of many 
others, awakening the dormant sparks of the 
divinity in them to a flame ! the same tender- 
ing power being witnessed as we hear of 
among ourselves ; and its efficacy demon- 
strated in a change of heart, affection, life, 
and conversation in the hearers. Great were 
the conflicts he underwent whilst struggling 
with his various weaknesses and sins ; yet a 
ray of divinity shines through these clouds ; 
and he grows brighter, clearer, and freer 
from these impediments as he advances to- 
wards eternity ; and manifesteth, at his ap- 
proaching, solemn, slowly advancing dissolu- 
tion, (such as thine and mine) clear and just 
conceptions of that temper which renders ac- 
ceptable to God, and prepares for a happy 
translation ! 

I am desiring to hear from thee, at thy lei- 
sure, in this new language of Canaan, which 
we are beginning to learn in our old days. 

LETTER VI. 

6th Mo. 13th, 1757. 

THE similarity of the dispensations of Pro- 
vidence towards us seems happily to have laid 



16 

a foundation for a spiritual correspondence, 
which I hope will be continued between us, 
as long as integrity of heart remains. I pro- 
fess to thee renewedly, that afflicting hand did 
more for me by way of weaning from this 
world, and quickening my attention for an- 
other, than all outward arguments could 
have done : and I desire, that we may ever 
be preserved obsequious to the divine leadings 
in this respect ! weaknesses and temptations 
still surround, but I humbly hope do not over- 
whelm. 

I find no cause to retract what I have advan- 
ced, in my history of the rise and progress of 
friends in Ireland, against the Pope, as the 
grand antichrist and great corrupter of Chris- 
tianity ; and in tracing the steps and grada- 
tions of the apostacy, unto the midnight 
of darkness ; giving some sketches of the em- 
erging of the light of the reformation : which 
I am inclined to believe shall rise higher and 
higher, notwithstanding all discouragements. 
In this view I look upon the book of the 
Apocalpyse, to be one of the most important 
of all the New Testament ; for unless the 
dreadful apostacy and corruptions which have 
happened had been so foretold, and also a 
restitution foretold by the same authortity, 



17 

our faith might have been shaken, which by 
this revelation is greatly strengthened and 
supported : at the same time it is our proper 
province to believe in the Supreme Providence, 
and humbly adore its impenetrable wisdom ! 
Thou wilt not suspect me of being visiona- 
ry on occasions wherein I have censured other 
short-sighted honest men ; but it looks to me 
as if our dear country was well nigh arrived to 
its Ne plus ultra as to dissoluteness of man- 
ners ; and without the gift of prophecy, per- 
haps it may be said, there never was a period 
of time more teeming in great events : but 
I proceed no further on this subject ; let us 
join with the church in her progress in com- 
ing up out of the wilderness ; and in every 
instance of the restoration of primitive sim- 
plicity and purity ! 

LETTER VII. 

12th Mo; 1st, 1759. 

I ACKNOWLEDGE kindly thy account 
of the several editions of the bible among 
those called catholics ; which book, where it 
is read, must undoubtedly represent Chris- 
tianity in a very different light to the people 

b 2 



18 

than that in which the priests have represented 
it. The downfal of the Jesuits in two king- 
doms, I would hope bodes good : we have 
had of late, in this city, many converts open- 
ly renouncing popery ; notwithstanding this, 
I heartly concur with thee, that the greatest 
corruption of manners may be accompanied 
with the most orthodox opinions : on the 
other hand, though I have spoken thus of the 
Jesuits, I have latelv met with a book wrote 
by one of this order, who seems to me to 
give evidences of a truly- Christian spirit; 
and under most heterodox opinions (which are 
the worship of saints, and transubstantiation) 
to maintain great purity of heart, and a live- 
ly zeal for the promotion of holiness : and 
moreover, under the present dreary times of 
great desolation within the narrow limits of our 
society, it gives me much comfort that God is 
here and there, awakening the same spirit of 
true Christian simplicity which animated our 
ancestors in the beginning ! and I am abun- 
dantly satisfied that many shall come from the 
east and west, and sit down with Abraham and 
Isaac. 

In the mean time take the following short 
sketch of Zion in distress, and if thou canst 
send me any word of consolation. Here is 



19 

a large congregation, formerly accustomed to 
plentiful, and very frequent showers of the 
doctrine of the kingdom, in purity ; now by 
the death of those who were as the vehicles 
of it, left in a manner destitute of supplies of 
that kind : insomuch, that we who are left, are 
forced either to have recourse to the invisible 
fountain, at first hand, or to sit dry and parch- 
ed : the latter, I fear, is the state of manjr ! 
some of these are going oiF, and other will 
go : however, at present, many of us hold 
together. In the midst of this, sometimes 
there starts up an ignis fatuus, boasting of 
superior light, but kindled, if I mistake not 
from below ; reproaching those who remain 
steady with this language, " You are dumb, 
but I must not be so." Thus provoking some 
tender ones, who dare not move without the 
proper qualification ; and, who having much 
work to do at home, are necessarily kept in 
that exercise, and hindered from going abroad. 
I give thee a sad picture, but too true : had 
not some of us a supply of a little faith, and 
a little love, we had perished in this wilder- 
ness ! the consideration of the afflicted state 
of the church in ages past, and some glim- 
merings of the hope of the gospel, also bring 
a little support. 



50 



LETTER VIIL 

1st Mo. 8th, If If. 

THY account of thy brother's death, and 
of my brother's state of health, are both in- 
structive, and I acknowledge them as such. 

As to the languishing state of Zion, I 
have of late suffered more sensibly than ever 
in my life before ; at times ready to be de- 
serted by brethren I had an esteem for ; how- 
ever, blessed be the Lord, I am not left quite 
disconsolate. Upon perusing the holy re- 
cords, I find the church has generally been 
in trouble ; and often in more calamitous cir- 
curtistances than any thou or I may have ob- 
served, and yet was never wholly forsaken : 
the prophets will furnish thee with numerous 
instances, which have yielded me considera- 
ble satisfaction. That we may be preserved 
from a participation in the general defection 
and corruption, is the great spiritual object. 
But again, I consider we are perhaps more 
alarmed at these things than we ought to be, 
in expecting too much from exteriors, by a 
conformity to our refined way ; which really 
can effect no more than circumcision to the 
Jew T outward* 



21 

Thy mentioning a certain writer, suggests 
an observation of the too much prevailing ne- 
glect of reading the holy scriptures, even 
among some of our ministers ; I am far from 
denying, on the contrary, I commend the 
imploring divine help ; but at the same time 
we ought to be diligent in the perusal of these 
sacred records ; comparing the frequent re- 
ferences and connexions of the Old and New 
Testament, I need not tell thee that our 
chapters are, not unfrequently, badly divid- 
ed, which if not attended to might prevent 
our having a right understanding of what is 
before us. 

Let reason be exercised ; not to pride and 
ostentation of science, but as God's precious 
gift : and let no man of superior talents and 
opportunities, cover his spiritual idleness, 
under a specious claim to divine inspiration. 

LETTER IX. 

5th Mo. 30th, 1761. 

THY observation of the preference of a 
suffering state to that of being at ease in Zion, 
ministers some comfort to one who knows 
himself to be one of the least of many bre- 
thren. 



Shal! I mention to thee, in a summary way, 
the use I have made of my late reading of the 
scriptures, after many and long omissions of 
this exercise, whilst busy on natural subjects, 
with an honest view to the promotion of use- 
ful knowledge, morality, and temporals, which 
were set up above, evangelical righteousness ; 
faith, and a view to another and better world, 
being in a great measure absorbed. At length 
did a gracious Providence lead, and as it 
were allure me to reading these sacred writ- 
ings ; and now I have a far greater venera- 
tion for them than I had before, not only as 
setting forth the majesty of Christ Jesus, but 
I have found them to be a seasonable support 
to my faith, in reference to thewoful apostacy 
overspreading the Christian churches, clear- 
ly foretold ; and the coming out of it pointed 
at ! May thou and I be ranked among them 
that are coming out, although in some sort 
with the witnesses that prophesied in sack- 
cloth ! 

The prophet Jeremiah w r as a man of sor- 
rows, raised up in the midst of an apostatiz- 
ing, idolatrous people ; faithful and constant 
under the severest trials, he manifested God's 
prescience in the accomplishment of events 
jnore remote, and in those concerning the gospel 



clay, and new covenant. May* a degree of 
his faithfulness attend thee, and me, under 
the present sad state of the society : although 
we be no prophets, faithful witnesses we may 
be. 

This prophet has furnished me with a con- 
viction of the harmony, and connexion there 
is between the Old and New Testament wri* 
ters, besides other instructive lessons. 

Having thus given thee some hints of mf 
experience in spiritual concerns as the most 
important, I now descend to temporals, 

LETTER X. 

1 2th Mo. 11th, 1762. 

THUS retired, I sit down to discharge my 
"arrear to thee : and first shall say, I join thee 
in discouraging an universal charge upon 
some of our modern reformers, as if, by 
mistaken notions of Christ's righteousness, 
they encouraged a persisting in immoral lives ; 
for from a personal knowledge of some of 

them, I have the charity to think that their 
faith is a living operative one, and such as 
hath produced an entire change in their man- 
ners. Give me leave further to say, in their 
behalf, that a mere dry morality 9 little better 



24 

than that of the heathens, has been the ge- 
neral language of the pulpits : the revival of 
the doctrine of faith in a Christ, both external 
and internal, seems to me to be doing nota- 
ble service to the drooping cause of Christi- 
anity. Bad men, under the Christian name, 
may profess belief in Christ, and his doctrine ; 
but I profess to thee, I do not think they real- 
ly believe in them ; but that unbelief is, in 
a great measure, the true source of their 
wickedness. Give a man a due share of faith 
and love, and I will warrant for his obedi- 
ence. Legal men, among us, have cried, Do 
this, and avoid that, in order that thou 
mayest be accepted ; but, if I mistake not, 
God is teaching some better, and enabling 
them to lay the axe to the root of the tree. 
Come to meetings, says the pharisee ; bit 
love God, says the evangelical man, and I 
will warrant for the consequence ; but he also 
saith, put away thy idols first. 

As to our spiritual state here, as a people 
signally called out of the world, it is truly 
poor and languishing : we have indeed been 
favoured lately with an instance of divine 
mercy, in a visit from the brethren, in con- 
sequence of a recommendation of the yearly 
meeting ; and as far as I have been a witness 



25 

to the conducting of this visit, it has been 
with an honest zeal, love, and Christian pru- 
dence ; and I humbly hope, that the word spok- 
en will not return void. 

But to conclude and take a review of our 
analagous spiritual circumstances. As we 
have both heard God's alarming voice, in re- 
storing us from the jaws of death, and taking 
or being about to take our elder brother a lit- 
tle before us, (and we are riding post on the 
same road, ) let us prepare to meet the bride- 
groom ; and trim our lamps, in higher degrees 
of love and zeal for his cause on earth : be- 
ing loosened from every worldly attachment 
how specious soever ; that we may be ready 
to enter the chamber* 



LETTER XI. 

10th Mo. 6th, 176S. 

AS to our religious state in this place, as a 
society, great is the desolation ! and the aw- 
ful seat of an elder is fallen to my lot. But 
amidst all our backslidings, a gracious provi- 
dence has been extended in divers truly ac- 
ceptable visits of ministers, and especially 
by the national visit; which has had a tenden- 
cy to improve and establish our discipline ; 

c 



26 

whilst it has shaken certain lifeless form^ 
which did more hurt than good, 

I would gladly hope Providence is watching 

over us for good, in putting it into the hearts 

of some to form a plan for erecting public 

schools for educating our youth in a manner 

entirely select, and separate from those of other 

societies (though here we are but poor, in 

comparison with you) ; and if thou knowest 

of any public spirited friend, who has money to 

spare, and would send over ten, twenty, fifty, 

or an hundred pounds for this purpose, I 

w r ould be answerable for the application to the 

valuable end of preserving, and saving some 

individuals, who without this means would be 

lost: for we see the children. of those who 

embrace this way, are running with a rapid 

career into the world again ; some of whom, 

by this holy policy, with the co-operation of 

the divine blessing, might be preserved. 

In conclusion, I would remark, that the 
exercise of a wholesome Christian discipline 
lies heavy on the shoulders of a few ; although 
absolutely necessary to preserve the society 
from open contempt. 



27 



LETTER XIL 

5th Mo. 8th, 1773. 

I HOPE thou wilt excuse my delay of ac- 
knowledging the receipt of thine, when thou 
shalt have heard how it has been with me. 

It is now above a year and a half ago that I 
was seized with a paralytic stroke on my right 
side, and in my tongue, although not to the 
highest degree, nor my senses impaired; but 
by the indulgence of Providence I have so far 
slowly recovered my limbs as to be able to walk 
a mile without resting; the use of my tongue 
is also in a great measure restored. Now, rec- 
koning my seventy-fifth year, I commence a 
downright old man. I am, however, very 
thankful, and possess m} r mind with great tran- 
quility in this happy exemption from the an- 
xiety and cares attending practice; and for the 
opportunity it gives me to revise, correct, and 
improve former labours. 

I would gladly, at a proper opportunity, be 
informed of your spiritual state: as to us, in 
this city, a day of trial now attends us, being 
as to ministerial help, in a manner, wholly 
stripped : it is true, some attempts have been 
made by intruders, but these have been silenc - 



28 

ed ; although for my part, I would be far from 
stopping the mouth of the least babe. 

Amidst all discouragements in a human way, 
faith comes in to our aid, even trust in God, 
who hath often brought forth events beyond all 
human comprehension. Some convincements, 
are an instance to this purpose, and the chil- 
dren of unpromising parents raised up to emi- 
nent service. 



LETTER XIII. 

llth Mo. 20th, 1750. 

IN Dublin I received a letter from thee. I 
rejoice in this, that the Lord of heaven and 
earth is visiting by his truth, and working by 
his power, to beget into his heavenly family; 
and bless his people with that which conveys 
all the happiness mankind ever did, or ever can 
taste ! too many are insensible of it ; others 
too careless to be religious as they ought ; but 
it is our interest to pursue our own peace, and 
transmit to others examples. It is an excellent 
thing to be true subjects of Christ's kingdom, 
baptized into his nature, and therein to abide. 
Great has been his mercy in visiting our souls 
with his blessed truth, and it highly behooves 
us to watch with all diligence. It is our duty 



29 

to look to him daily; this comprehends all ; 
here is our strength, and safety ; other stays 
or temporary help will fail, and leave us desti- 
tute, and inwardly lean : oh ! therefore re- 
member often the dew of thy youth, the ten- 
derness of thy heart when first met with; 
cherish in thy soul the fresh instance of regard, 
and be it thy care inwardly to look, and live 
to the Lord, so shall thy hands be made strong, 
and thy head be kept above the water. 

There is a spirit that is gone forth into the 
camp, and is splendidly delusive; it delights 
in good words, and feeds upon them ; it cries 
out help, help, but principally to the servants, 
not the master ; this spirit leads into notions, 
it snuffs up the wind, and lives in commotions 
itself raises ; all that are led by it are super- 
ficial, and know nothing, and must lie down 
in sorrow. That holy spirit which was and is 
the ground of truth for ever : (which I trust 
has reached thy heart) is a substantial opera- 
tive principle ; its directions are not imagi- 
nary, nor its doctrines loose and indeterminate; 
but it is life and light to its possessors, and 
causes them to inherit substance ; it teaches 
access in heart to God ; whose attributes can- 
not be defined fully, but experience teaches 
them ; supplying their wants, supporting their 

c 2 



30 

steps, opening their understanding into those 
divine truths that are higher than human wis- 
dom, let the spirit be leaned upon above all ; 
this will help us to stand upright, and walk 
steadily in the faith delivered to the saints : 
retirement will be pleasant in meetings, and 
out of meetings ; the inward feelings of the di- 
vine power to live and act to God's honour and 
our own preservation will be dear and precious 
to us ; and he that delights to hear the language 
of his children will not be slack in the perform- 
ance of his gracious promises ; I found the 
free salutation of gospel love in my heart to 
thee, and earnestly intreat thee to abide stedfast 
in the truth; feel after it, live in it, hope for 
its salvation, and it will never fail. I salute thee 
in the love, and affection of Christ our holy and 
blessed helper, and remain thy faithful friend. 

• 

LETTER XIV. 

UNDER a renewed sense of that love and 
life which hath ever been the preservation and 
support of the Lord's children as they have kept 
near unto it, hath my mind been nearly unit- 
ed in tender love and sympathy to some of my 
dear friends at Sheffield ; whose minds have 
been sensibly wrought upon by the renewed 



31 

operations of the Lord's forming hand of pow- 
er, to prepare them as vessels for his own use, 
particularly those few who are lately come 
forth in the ministry. 

Dear friends ; who have thus been pointed 
out by the great Sheperd of Israel, and brought 
into the school of Christ, to be trained up 
under his hand and eye, that you might there- 
by come to be prepared to do the Lord's work 
and go his errands, after you had in some 
measure improved the gifts and talents of 
grace, which he had in mercy bestowed upon 
you, in order for your salvation and redemp- 
tion. 

You received an additional gift, which was 
begotten in you, and under which you travel- 
led many times in tenderness of spirit ; and 
were often deeply baptized into a feeling sense 
of what was likely to be brought forth, and ma- 
ny were the pangs, and deep searchings of heart 
that you experienced, until he that had brought 
to the birth, gave strength to bring forth; 
which was done without your skill, or contri- 
vance for it was the Lord's doings, and it was 
marvellous in our eyes ; so that you are some- 
what like that servant who had received two 
talents to improve : and this calls for greater 
vigilance, circumspection, and care, than he 



S2 

that had received only one talent; that you 
may have to say, be ye followers of us, as yc 
see we follow Christ ; and as your gifts w r ere 
not of your own procuring, but according to 
the good pleasure of him w r ho hath the govern- 
ment of his church upon his own shoulders, 
he saw meet to intrust you with them, that 
they might be occupied to the glory of his 
great name ; but as they were not of your 
own procuring so neither are they at your own 
command, but must be waited for in deep 
humility of mind, in order to come at a 
right knowledge of when to speak and when 
to be silent ; and there need not be much an- 
xiety about it, if the mind is kept in a watch- 
ful state, and careful that nothing, through 
our unwatchfulness or neglect, deprive us of 
the sense of our gifts ; but those who are thus 
brought forth, may have in their infant state, 
(as well as those that are further grown in ex- 
perience,) many tryiiig proving dispensations 
to pass through ; for the dragon, that with- 
stood the woman in order to devour her man- 
child, as soon as it was born, will withstand 
them ; and try them many ways, that he may 
warp them aside from the holy commandments 
delivered to them ; and these are sometimes 
carried to a place prepared for them, as in 



33 

the wilderness; where they arc secretly fed, 
and sustained, though their gifts may be hid 
as in obscurity for a season ; in which trying 
time there is much need of patience, that there 
is not an attempting to come forth from the 
wilderness before the right time, ere the floods 
be subsided which the dragon cast out of his 
mouth, and so be in danger of being carried 
away with them. For it may not be one of 
the least of his temptations, when it may please 
the Lord to hide our gifts, for a trial of the 
love, faith, and patience of his servants, and 
for the better qualifying them to know their 
proper seasons, to endeavour to draw them out, 
though the clouds may not be taken off the 
tabernacle, and so lead them into confusion ; 
and their offering, not being seasoned with 
the salt of the everlasting covenant, it hath not 
a right savour, nor is attended with a right evi- 
dence ; and when he hath effected this, and 
the mind comes to be made sensible of it, (ei- 
ther by the gentle admonitions of some sensi- 
ble feeling friends, or by the light of truth, 
or both,) manifesting their mis-stepings, then 
his next work is, if not carefully watched 
against, to persuade the poor creatures, that 
they are upon a wrong foundation, having been 
running when the Lord never sent them; and 



34 

they see that their offerings are not accepted, 
and are soled into reasoning and consultations 
with flesh and blood, thereby to lose their 
strength by hearkening to the voice of the ene- 
my ; and it is to be feared that some have been 
led into a wilderness, out of which they have 
never more found their wav: there are also 
other ways th.it he works with some, by en- 
deavouring to persuade them, that their gifts 
and capacities are so small, and weak, that 
it is never likely they should be of any use : 
by which means some have been discouraged, 
not considering, that it is out of the mouths 
of babes and sucklings the Lord ordaineth 
praise ; and that he hath chosen the weak and 
foolish things of this* world, to confound the 
wise and strong. But dear friends, wait daily 
to feel after the life and power of truth to ga- 
ther and settle vour minds, under a sense of 
its holy influence ; and never move but under 
the necessity, and in the openings of truth ; 
remember that Aaron, our great type, under 
the law, was never permitted to approach 
to minister before the Lord, until he was re- 
newedly clothed with the hallowed garment, 
on which were placed both the bells and pome- 
granates; which testify both sound and sub- 



35 

stance, or nourishment ; and it will tend t6 
your safety not to make additions to the open- 
ings of truth on your minds ; but if there 
should be only a few sentences that are requir- 
ed, be content ; remember that under the law, 
when they offered according to their abilities, 
those that could only offer a pair of turtle-doves, 
or two young pigeons, were accepted as well 
as those that offered their bullocks and rams ; 
and, as you keep in the simplicity, and near 
to your gifts, you will in due time witness an 
increase, if the Lord see meet. 

As these things seemed to spring in my mind 
with a degree of gospel love, I have in the 
same love communicated them, earnestly de- 
siring your establishment and growth on the 
everlasting foundation; for the harvest truly 
is plenteous, but the faithful labourers are 
few : though I am far separated from you, yet 
in that which neither length of time, nor dis- 
tance of place, can diminish, I often remem- 
ber you, and these will serve as a pledge of 
my regard, who remain your affectionate 
friend. 



36 



LETTER XV. 

5th Mo. 19th, 1758. 

WHEN I consider the good company you 
have providentially been favoured with, and 
the advantageous situation you are at present 
happy in, it would seem unnecessary to offer 
any thing by way of caution, or counsel, re- 
specting your conduct, whilst in this kingdom; 
but though you are thus agreeably seated, I 
take it for granted, in the course of your stay, 
you will make some excursions from the place 
of your present abode, to different parts of the 
kingdom, which must necessarily subject you 
to variety of company ; in this case I do not 
apprehend the worthy friend, in whose house 
you lodge, will be deficient in giving you the 
necessary advice, for your benefit; yet I do 
not find this will excuse me from offering to 
your consideration a few cautions, respecting 
one very material part of moral and religious 
conduct in life, which is the choice of compa- 
ny. The saying of the apostle Paul will always 
remain true, " That evil communications cor- 
rupt good manners." The experience of many 
ages has confirmed it : it is also truly said, a man 



37 

is known by his company ; and that, as his 
friend, so is he. 

Bad company, or vicious examples, are of- 
ten hurtful to men of years, and sometimes 
to those who had formerly been experienced 
in good, when they come to be thus exposed: 
but youth is more especially a dangerous peri- 
od of life, in which we are more liable to em- 
brace things that are inconvenient, as well as 
unlawful, and to be drawn aside by the various 
temptations, crafty allurements, and unpro- 
fitable friendships of the world. And I know 
of no place on earth, where incitements to un- 
godliness and vanity more abound than in this 
kingdom in general, and in this city in parti 
cular. 

I make this observation as a hint to you, 
to retire into your own minds, and consider 
how necessary it will be to your good, and 
well being, that you avoid the conversation of 
men of corrupt minds, who you will soon 
know by their fruits ; whose snares and temp- 
tations will steal as insensibly into the affecti- 
ons, as the venom of a serpent creeps into the 
veins of the subject it has wounded : there- 
fore I advise you against making such men 
your intimates and familiars. 



38 

I have sometimes thought, that vicious ex- 
amples have the same effect upon the soul, at 
least the affections of it, that deformed bodies 
have at the first view of them ; they excite an 
unpleasant painful idea, but, by customary 
and familiar converse, the disagreeable sensa- 
tion ceases, and we become quite easy, and 
reconciled to them : thus vice, in the first ap- 
pearance affects a tender innocent mind with 
horror and dread; but being hardened by cus- 
tom, and habit, the painful impression gra- 
dually wears off, and it becomes more easy, 
and perhaps agreeable; and then the next step 
is to embrace it, 

I would not have it understood as if I thought 
you would chuse to frequent the company of 
men of apparent dissolute lives and practices, 
who are not afraid to glory in their shame ; but 
I would caution against associating with the 
more hidden and secret foes of Christianity 
(such young' men as outwardly profess the 
blessed truth, but hold it in an unrighteous 
conversation, at clubs, and night-revels, fre- 
quenting places of public diversion, invented 
by the imagination of sinful men, some of 
whom, we have reason to fear, deny or at least 
call in question, the sacred truths of the Chris- 
tian religion); from such men, though they 



3$ 

rnay call themselves brethren, I counsel you 
to turn away ; and, as virtue and piety, as well 
as vice and folly, are communicated by exam- 
ple, I desire you will take every suitable op- 
portunity of having the company of solidly re- 
ligious persons of our own society. 

But as it is not sufficient, that we only ob- 
serve the negative part of our duty, in abstain- 
ing from evil, if we desire to be perfect, we 
must learn to do well. Though the man is 
blessed who walketh not in the counsel of the 
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, 
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, yet he 
is not fully so, till he is found delighting in 
the law of the Lord after the inner man ; me- 
ditating therein day and night, observing to 
do according to all that is written therein. 

Then these blessed effects will follow, that 
he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers cf 
water, which bringeth forth its fruit in due 
season. And, if this holy exercise of mind 
is continued, he shall receive of the sap and 
nourishment from the Fountain of Life, so 
that his leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever 
he doth shall prosper : " The steps of a good 
M man are ordered of the Lord ; the law of 
•• his God is in his heart, none of his goings 
" shall slide :" in order therefore to the per- 



40 

formance of our duty, it is necessary we should 
acquaint ourselves with God, and seek to 
know his will concerning us, by believing in, 
and adhering to the good principle we profess, 
of the light of Christ in our consciences ; it 
is this alone can give us the saving knowledge 
of God ; and as we are obedient to its teach- 
ings, we shall not only deny ungodliness, but 
by living a godly life in all holy conversation, 
manifest we are loving God above all things, 
and our neighbour as ourselves. — And if the 
delight and joy proceeding from love to God ; 
and an evidence of his love to us, be the only 
true and real happiness of mankind, it ne- 
cessarily follows, that the sooner we are come 
to the possession of this inestimable blessing, 
the happier it will be for us! I am one, who 
have to lament, that I forsook my own mer- 
cies, in that I did not remember my Creator 
in the days of my youth ; that I neglected to 
acquaint myself with God in my younger years, 
knowing that an early sacrifice, and devotion 
o| heart is acceptable to him : I have consid- 
ered how many years I lost in unprofitable 
pursuits, delighting in things I am now asham- 
ed of: many precious moments I might have 
enjoyed had I been so wise as to have enquir- 
ed wherein true happiness consisted : I have 



41 

never heard of any who thought they had 
sought God too soon ; but many mourn, that 
they knew him too late. 

But to return to what chiefly affected my 
mind, and has drawn from me these cautions., 
viz. the consideration of the temptations per- 
sons are exposed to, in the time of youth, 
(though in no part of our lives we can be said 
to be in a state of security free from the at- 
tempts of the enemy of souls, and therefore 
a state of watchfulness is necessarv to all as;es 
and conditions) it appears to me, that there is 
more than ordinary occasion for circumspec- 
tion when men are beset with enemies from 
all quarters, as is eminently the case in this 
great city : things, men, and books, as it 
were, lie in wait to deceive, and cheat peo- 
ple of true happiness : with regard to books, 
if a vain curiosity should be indulged in read- 
ing many publications of the present time, 
whose chief tendency is to promote an undue 
liberty from the restraints of religion ; the 
knowledge acquired by such reading is evil, 
and will, by the unsound principles and erro- 
neous doctrine, of one sort, and the profan- 
ity, and licentiousness of the other, bring 
death to the soul ; as they will prevent the 
true knowledge of God from taking place in 

n 2 



42 

the heart, and hinder the growth of the seed 
of immortal life, by which the soul is raised 
from earthly to divine and heavenly objects. 

I write from a degree of my own experience 
of the hurt received by means of such writ- 
ings, and am the more earnest with you, as 
you value your peace, to avoid the perusal of 
them, as they can administer no real benefit, 
but on the contrary certain evil. 

Having thus enlarged my letter, beyond 
expectation, I shall only add, that as you 
profess no less than the blessed truth, as it is 
in Jesus> may you, by its divine assistance, 
and obedience to its holy dictates be made and 
kept perfectly free from the entanglements of a 
vain and sinful world, and be enabled to hold 
fast the profession of your faith in a good 
conscience without wavering; keep near to the 
testimony of Jesus, the sure word of prophe- 
cy in vour hearts; wherebv you will be able 
to resist and quench all the fiery darts of sa- 
tan, and his agents. 

To God I recommend you, and the word 
of his grace, which is able to strengthen and 
build you up in the most holy faith, and re- 
main your sincere friend. 



43 



LETTER XVI. 

IT came before me thismorning, with some 
degree of sweetness to visit you with a line of 
caution, and encouragement, in the pure and 
unfeigned love of the gospel of Christ: to you T 
the professors of it, my dear youth, to remind 
you, who are capable of reflection, of the 
great goodness of our God, in visiting you 
with his salvation, and affording you the bles- 
sed privilege of the knowledge of his unspot- 
ted truth, not only through the teaching and 
instruction of his blessed spirit; but you en- 
joy the advantage of sitting under the doctrine 
of his called, chosen, and anointed ministers, 
whose lips preserve knowledge, rendexxd con- 
vincing by the strongest argument and proof 
of faith in Christ, viz* such an example and 
conversation as becomes the gospel. You have 
this help in a double capacity, as well from 
the ministry as in those you are so happy to 
call father and mother, who I make no doubt 
use their endeavours to bring you up in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is 
a blessing I once had an opportunity of im- 
proving to my eternal advantage, from the in- 
struction and admonition of my dear mother, 



44 

who endeavoured to instil principles of the 
doctrine of Christianity, to wit, the indispen- 
sable duty of self-denial, without which we 
can in no wise lay claim to that glorious title 
of being followers of the blessed son of God, 
who came to lay self low; to lay the axe of 
his power to the corrupt root, from whence 
proceeds pride, evil thoughts, which when 
conceived, and joined with, bring forth sin. 
Pride is a sin productive (as I have thought) 
of every other evil ; having observed that where 
pride is suffered to predominate, there we see 
every evil work ; pride excited me to pursue 
worldly wisdom, and knowledge ; pride put 
me upon endeavouring after what the world 
call accomplishments : pride taught me to 
emulate any that was superior in pomp, state, 
or equipage ; pride taught me to deck and 
adorn my person, to.be nice and curious in my 
apparal, to carry my person delicately, and 
walk with mincing steps, and outstretched 
neck : pride taught me to be cautious lest I 
should have burning instead of beauty, and 
and put me upon wanting washes to improve 
my complexion. Pride taught me the genteel 
carriage, the foolish jesting, the false cheer- 
fulness (a name now given to laughter, wan- 
tonness, and foolish jesting): pride led rne 



45 

to read unedifying and pernicious books ; t@ 
sing songs, to please myself as well as others : 
in a word, pride led me to desire the lust of 
the eye, and pomp of life. 

I know not that what I have mentioned is 
any of your weaknesses ; b.ut this I know, that 
childhood and youth are vanity: not from a 
propensity or principle instilled, or given 
them, by the wise Creator ; but the enemy 
hath done this, or by his agents, sown evil 
seeds of pride. For though our parents may 
give us Christian advice, and example, (as 
was my case) we are surrounded by evil ex* 
amples. 

My mother was but one, and so I despised 
her admonition, and followed the multitude to 
do evil. • 

But now it comes before me to mention the 
goodness of Israel's God : whose tender mer- 
cy is over all his works, and will leave all with- 
out excuses, and therefore affords all a day of 
merciful visitation, in which he manifests his 
blessed will, and whaf he requires of us. He 
would have made my dear mother an instru- 
ment in his hand of turning me from dark- 
ness unto light ! but I would have none of her 
self-denying counsel, and cast her words 



46 

(which I have since thought wefc from the 
Lord) behind my back. 

And now I will tell you what I suffered in 
my very youthful days, in the refusal of the 
Lord's kindness to my soul ; he was pleased 
to visit me with sore and distressing sickness, 
which all about me, as well as myself, thought 
would be unto death; and in this trying sea- 
son, when not only all my delights forsook 
me, but the wrath of God was revealed 
against all unrighteousness, and my sins set in 
order before my face; the veil of obduracy 
with which the God of this world had blinded 
my spiritual eye, was rent ; I saw my guilt, 
and was greatly condemned in rejoicing my 
dear parents admonition : but upon promises 
of amendment, the Lord was so merciful as 
to spare my life, and restore me to my usual 
good state of health. 

But let me ever lament what followed ; that 
after this I should turn again to folly. 

Yet, (for ever renoAvned and blessed be the 
name of our God) after a series of years, he 
was pleased eminently to visit with his love 
and offers of grace, and reconciliation ; upon 
the condition, that if I forsook the foolish, I 
should live : observe, this was the second 



4& 

visitation of God's love and glory! who assist- 
ed me by his grace to be obedient to the hea- 
venly vision. He let me not only see him the 
dread, but beauty of nations. 

Then I was ashamed in my own sight, when 
I saw his purity: I could not delight to adorn 
my body, when I saw the nakedness of my 
soul, I left caring immoderately for the body, 
and was made willing in the day of God's pow- 
er to be stript of my delights, that I might 
be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. 

And as I gave up to the divine discoveries, 
and present manifestations, the reward of the 
Lord attended my obedience to his will, even 
that peace, which all the enjoyments of this 
life never did, nor never could afford ; being 
all as dross and dung in comparison of this 
transcendent enjoyment, this approbation of 
God. 

Dear children ! I believe you know the 
truth, but this will not do for us, unless we 
obey the dictates thereof: it will do us no ser- 
vice to hear Christ preached, and set forth 
crucified before our view, unless that, as he 
died for sin, we also come to die to sin of all 
kind. 

Be sober and w r atch unto prayer, that the 
enemy sow not his tares, and choak the 



48 

good seed of the kingdom, and deprive yon 
of the blessed privileges with which you are 
favoured. As obedient children, fashion not 
yourselves according to the lusts and vanities 
of the world: look not out at others, who may 
profess with you, but look continually to him, 
who is able (as you are willing) to keep you 
from the spots of the world. Remember if 
any love the world, the love of God abides not 
in him: they cannot subsist together; what 
nourishes the one, destroys the other. There- 
fore as an evidence we are risen with Christ 
from the earth, or earthly things : the apostle 
tells, our affections will be set on heavenly 
things, or things above, for where our trea- 
sure is, as our dear Lord says, our hearts 
will be also. 

Now my desire for you is, that you may 
be endued with divine wisdom to chuse the 
better part ; not to cumber yourselves, as you 
advance in years, too much in serving the bo- 
dy ; but may part with all that stands in your 
way, to purchase the pearl of price. I can 
declare to you, that with all my gettings, for 
which I been so anxiously concerned, I never 
got peace, till I sold all to make this purchase: 
and as I am careful to keep what is committed 
to me, I rely on the gracious promises of our 



49 

God, that it will accompany me beyond the 
grave, and not me only, but all who love, and 
obey, the appearance of our Lord and Savi- 
ous Jesus Christ ! to whose blessed teachings 
I leave you, dear children, and remain your 
true friend. 



LETTER XVII. 

1st Mo. 24th, 1758. 

I RECEIVED thy last letter just as I had 
engaged to accompany a friend to two adjacent 
country meetings, and therefore could give 
it but a cursory reading: but after some days 
interruption, upon giving it a second review, 
my heart was comfortably affected, and mine 
eye filled with tears of joy ! as my faith is 
farther strengthened and confirmed, that tho' 
thou art cast down, the Lord has not left nor 
forsaken thee, neither will he leave thee to the 
will of thine enemy, though he is suffered to 
try thee in a near manner : he shall not pre- 
vail against thee as thou keeps the faith, 
though small as a grain of mustard seed, by 
this thou wilt be enabled to resist, and be 
made more than conqueror : for I believe the 
Lord of compassion will increase it, as thou 
improves the small degree, so that it will work 

E 



50 

powerfully in thy soul by love unfeigned, to 
the thorough refining of body, soul, and 
spirit ; to the bringing into subjection, and 
putting all things under his feet, whose right 
it is to reign sovereign in our hearts. 

I know this work will so reduce our spirits 
that we shall indeed be willing to become spec- 
tacles to the world, to angels, and to men, 
even a derision to those who are called by the 
name of the Lord; who nevertheless are eating 
their own bread, and wearing their own ap- 
parel, gratifying their sensual appetites in what- 
ever their souls lust after. As this is the lamen- 
table state of many in our society, I plainly see 
the faithful in Israel are, and will be engaged 
to call louder than ever, and in a more con- 
spicuous manner to bear witness to the truth, 
as it really is, in the humble and lowly Jesus. 

The Lord is working in a secret manner, 
in the hearts of some of his servants : who are 
ready to question, why it is thus with me? 
why is it necessary that I should be so reduced, 
and clothed with so great a degree of humility, 
and self-denial ? it is in order not only that 
we may be ensamples to the flock, and pro- 
perly prepared and qualified to take the over- 
sight thereof; but this work of the Lord 
(which in the eves of some is marvellous^ 



51 

is further 4o disentangle our affections from 
all visibles, and that we may serve him with- 
out distraction ; and come up more fully to 
the help of the Lord, in his great work, which 
he has put on the wheels ; which are clogged 
at present, for want of skilful, able, and clean 
hands to set them in motion. 

Therefore, as thou art one of those whom 
the Lord hath chosen and appointed, to repair 
the breaches in the walls of our Zion ; keep, 
as much as possible, in a watching, waiting 
posture ; as thou knows not how soon thy 
Lord will return and say, it is enough ! re- 
lease thee from thy prison house, and reinstate 
thee in thy office : I believe a renewed call 
will go forth to the willing-hearted in Israel, 
to such as are willing to be renewed in the 
spirit of their minds by deep baptism : to 
these, I believe, there will be a renewed call 
to visit the seed (which to our sorrow is the 
least of all seeds) in prison, in families ; for 
in our assemblies too many are unwilling to 
come under the baptizing power of truth, will 
not touch the burden of the Lord, as declar- 
ed by his servants, with one of their fingers r 
but are laying it on the shoulders of their 
.neighbour, saying, this is applicable to 
such or such. Some are preparing, by the 



52 

hand of our God, to be as saviours on Mount 
Sion ! by divers ways, is God working to re- 
store our poor society to its primitive allegi- 
ance ; some will be again called to search the 
camp, not only family by family, but the hus- 
band apart, and the wife apart, the son apart, 
and the daughter apart, and in the authority 
of truth will be enabled to say, Thou ait 
the man. When thou therefore feels the 
Gall renewed to minister, publicly or private- 
ly, do not make excuse, and say, I am not 
yet lit, I am of unclean lips, for God can sud- 
denly change ! in the twinkling of an eye 
the corruptible have been helped to put oa 
incorruption, and the mortal immortality ; and 
the saying has been triumphantly witnessed^, 
V6 O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, 
where is thy victory ? Blessed be our God, 
who giveth us the victory ! such a sudden, 
uiid happy change has been known in a meet- 
ing:, when the party has gone for a long time, 
without witnessing what had been earnestly 
panted after. Remember, if the Lord call 
i*g?cifi I© ihut service, he either sees thee fit, 
W will make thee so as thou abides his prepar- 
ing hand. And also if the Lord call thee not 
(o an outward abstinence, eat then thy natur- 
al bread, though it be mingled with tears : 



and do no strengthen the bands -of * the-cftenrjr, 
by weakening thy body, through an improper 
abstinence from thy temporal food. Receive 
likewise with humble gratitude, that portion 
of spiritual sustenance, which, I am sure, the 
Lord is daily administering to thee, till he is 
pleased to feed thee more plentifully with the 
dainties ! which sometimes are withheld, till 
we have girded ourselves, arid served our 
Lord, and then he is pleased that we should 
eat and drink; it being, in the mean time, our 
meat and drink to do his will. And now mv 
friend, I would wish thee to bear in mind the 
inexpressible favour of our God : w r ho affords 
light to see thy wants, and strength to cry 
mightily to him for relief : in such a state, my 
soul has been bowed, and made to worship 
at his footstool ; in that, he vouchsafed the 
sense of want, and ability to beg a supply 3 
and humbly to wait till he saw meet to answer : 
I since knew this ability could be no less than 
the favour of God, and the way to the Father ; 
to whom no man can come unless drawn bv 
the spirit of his son Jesus Christ. 

Well then, my dear friend, be not cast 
down above measure, since so many favoura- 
ble circumstances attend thee : bear in mind 
the blessing annexed to such as endure suffer- 

£ 2 



54 

ing, wind temptation : among many which I 
have experienced, that of declining an attend- 
ance on the worship of the Supreme Being, 
has been often laid in my way by the sugges- 
tion of the enemy, to lead me further out of 
the way of my duty, and by persuading me to 
add one error to another, make the return more 
difficult, first tempting, and then upbraiding 
with the temptation. But I have considered that 
however circumstanced our minds may be, it 
is no reasonable excuse for declining the at- 
tendance of meetings ; if they want to be 
rectified and stayed, the greater need of pre- 
seating our bodies in the place of outward ga- 
thering, to put ourselves in the way, with 
our brethern, of being inwardly gathered to 
the shiloh of our God ; who, in his mercy, 
may remember our low estate of poverty, and 
may prepare an offering in our spirits ; a liv- 
ing sacrifice, acceptable to himself: I say, 
who knows but this may be the case : there- 
fore let us not give way to the enemy, instead 
of relieving the malady by absenting ourselves 
from the place appointed for religious worship, 
we shall but increase it, and lead into a great- 
er degree of darkness : as I was helped to 
persist in the way of duty in this respect, I 
was sometimes favoured with a glimpse of 



5$ 

that countenance, which is more precious and 
desirable to a few, than the increase of any 
worldly treasure. And now I am speaking of 
temptations, I would beseech thee, when the 
enemy presents objects of thought which thy 
soul ever abhorred, do not stop to reason with 
flesh and blood, or dispute with the tempter, 
nor, as I have too much done, dwell upon 
and brood over the temptation : for when I 
did, the more frequently, and with greater 
strength, were his assaults renewed ; terrifv- 
ing my spirit, and affecting me with horror 
and confusion ; and would have persuaded me, 
I had joined the temptation, and committed 
the sins I even should have abhorred, when 
I was, almost, his vassal, and taken captive 
at his will. But let me not here forget to 
commemorate the mercies of our God ; who 
would frequently interpose, and bring many 
comfortable scriptures to my view, and, with 
them, this encouraging reflection, that it was 
no sin to be tempted ; and notwithstanding 
the charge of the adversary against me, that 
I had admitted him, in this or the other pre- 
sentation, the Lord was pleased to encourage 
me still to resist, by letting me see, though 
he had approached as far as the door, he had 
not gained an entrance ; and even the door- 



56^ 

posts should be sprinkled with the blood of 
the Lamb, which was slain from the founda- 
tion of the world, for returning repenting 
prodigals.— At length, I was mercifully in- 
structed, and helped to pass by the tempta- 
tion or presentation without much notice, deli- 
beration, or consideration about it, but to de- 
pend wholly on the mercy of God, and look 
only to him for salvation in the hour and pow- 
er of darkness : since which, his temptations 
have not been so frequent, nor his presenta- 
tions so terrifying. Nevertheless, to be wholly 
exempt from trials and besetments of this 
sort, is what we are by on means to expect ; 
whilst our spirits are connected with these bo- 
dies, and we remain in a state of probation, 
it must be so : and according to the nature of 
the two kingdoms of Christ and Anti-Christ, 
a continual warfare must be maintained 
against the invasions of the power of dark- 
ness : which, that thou and I may be enabled 
to do, is the earnest petition of my spirit. 
To explain a little what I meant by the sin 
unto death; I apprehend, it is of that sort, 
or nature, that the apostle John signifies, is 
not to be prayed for; and is the state of one 
who hath made shipwreck of faith, and a good 
conscience ; who not only rebels against the 



57 

Spirit of Christ, but sins wilfully and stub* 
bornly; saying, as the Israelites did of old* 
when arrived to a high pitch of obduracy, We 
will do so, and so : we will bake cakes, burn 
incense, and even pour out drink-offerings, 
to the queen of heaven ! We will not hear, 
said they, when the Lord spake to them in 
their prosperity ; and as for the words, which 
the prophets spake to them, in the name of 
the Lord, they say, We will not hearken un- 
to them ; but will certainly do whatsoever 
goeth out of our mouth ; in such a case afe 
this, people are passing on, adding sin to sin, 
till they arrive at a state, in which the Lord, 
in his justice, leaves them to their own de- 
lusions. 

But, my dear friend, the Lord hath not 
thus dealt with thee and me ; because, he that 
is omniscient, saw and sees our sliding aside ; 
our wandering a little out of the way, was 
not the effect of stubbornness, nor had we 
offended willingly, but through inadvertency 
and un watchfulness : in this situation, if any 
man sin, we have aw advocate with the Fa- 
ther, even Christ Jesus the righteous ; a bles- 
sed, and glorious privilege ! also prayers and 
intercessions are made by the brethren, to 
the throne of grace according to the will of 



58 

God : an humbling and comfortable reflection, 
that we were not dead in trespasses : but we 
feel remorse for the same, and are saying, in 
deep contrition of soul, to us belong blush- 
ing and confusion of face : but blessed be 
our God, to him belongs mercy and forgive- 
ness ; as he himself declares, when the sin- 
ner forsakes his evil ways, with a full purpose 
of heart to cleave close to him, he will give 
us our daily spiritual bread. 

I say, in the midst of the multitude of my 
affliction, and perplexing thoughts, this was 
a comfort, that mv disobedience was not wil- 
ful. Yet so sensible was I that I must be 
again redeemed through judgment, that I was 
made willing not only to kiss the rod, but to 
desire to be fed with it. I rejoiced to feel 
the chastising hand of our gracious Father, 
which was both rod and staff, as it afforded me 
comfortable hopes of a future inheritance, and 
that I was not cut off as illegitimate : but that 
after I had suffered according to the ;will of 
God. he might again restore me to a place in 
his house ; if not yet as a son to sit at his ta- 
ble, and partake of his dainties, at least as a 
hired servant, to receive food convenient and 
sufficient for me : for if we are but favoured to 
be admitted into his house, and service, it 



59 

is enough, the lowest seat and meanest 
office is worth all we can do and suffer to ob- 
tain it. 



LETTER XVIIL 

IN the fellowship of true and unfeigned 
love, that unites the hearts of the faithful in 
a joint communion one with another, do I 
dearly salute thee; even that communion 
which begets a sympathy in spirit, so as to 
partake, in some degree, of the state of each 
other, as members of one body, in the my- 
stery that the world knows not of: for by this 
communion the members are not insensible 
of the state one of another, that if one mem- 
ber suffers, the others suffer with it ; and if 
one rejoice, or abound, the rest are rejoiced 
by a degree of the same abounding love. Thus 
help is communicated without partiality, ac- 
cording to the proportion of that love that is 
boundless, proceeding from God, through 
Jesus Christ, and centering in the same eter- 
nal oneness. 

If I may be so qualified as to be helpful to 
thee in this, it will give me great pleasure : 
and judging also that I have had experience 
of various states and conditions in a Christian 



60 

life, and the maimer of dealing of the Lord 
'with his people, I have learned in the deeps, 
and in the silence of all fleshly reasoning, in 
the stillness and quiet, where the enemy ap- 
proaches not, to cry out, in admiration, w r ith 
the prophet, How unsearchable are thy judg- 
ments, O Lord, and thy ways, past finding 
out ! yet there is often a long time of suffer- 
ing in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and 
distress, before we can come here, to still- 
ness ; to the intent that God Almighty, out 
of his infinite wisdom, may manifest his own 
arm of power, and bring deliverance, some- 
times without any means of our own propos- 
ing. For I have often observed, that he 
reserves entirely to himself the greatest deli- 
verance : yet not always so, as not to make 
use of any means at all ; but those means ap- 
pear, on a just view, to have something in 
them so extraordinary and providential, as 
shews them to be the effect of the first mov- 
ing cause : the instrument is in some sort over- 
looked, though it is in sincerity acknowledged 
as the bounty of heaven in the dispensation of 
his Providence ; yet the acknowledgment does 
not terminate in the means or instrument, but 
arises in pure breathings as a divine flame to 
the source and fountain of all mercies* Thus 



61 

his judgments are to human attainments, un- 
searchable, and his ways, though ways that 
lead to peace, past finding out : when he 
corrects in his judgments, it is not in sore 
displeasure, lest he should bring us to no- 
thing : but by 4 the chastisements, as of a 
most merciful Father, he urges and draws a 
greater degree of obedience from his children, 
for it is in love. Our time then is to be still, 
to bear all things, to endure all things, to re- 
joice in all things that he shall lay upon us, 
as knowing that thereby we may procure to 
ourselves, the most lasting peace, by being 
restored again to his favour. And, O how 
happy are all those that can so quietly submit 
in all things ! In order thereunto, let us, con- 
sider that they are distributed to mankind in 
his abundant wisdom and counsel. 

But there is another sort of affliction, that is 
as bonds and imprisonments, as lying nights 
and days in the deeps; more afflicting than 
bonds outwardly, and the cause entirely hid 
from us; wherein there is striving between 
life and death, between hope and despair ; 
longing to be delivered, with short glimpses 
of, if at all beholding, the deliverer! at times 
crying out with the prophet, " Thou hast co- 
11 vered thyself with a cloud, that our prayers 

F 



62 

" should not past through." There appears 
no mediator, no high-priest before the throne 
of God. He for ever seems to hide his bles- 
sed countenance, and his absence is our great* 
est pain, for being deprived of his presence 
all things else yield no relief. O then how 
does the soul tremble !' how does the heart 
faint ! the tears are dried up ; no vent then 
seems to ease the anguish of the soul. 

We are ready to say, with Job, ** O that 
tx my griefs were thoroughly weighed, and 
" my calamities put in the balance together, for 
" then would it appear heavier than the sand 
" of the sea, therefore my words are swallow* 
" edup." 

O that I could feel so much softness in my 
heart, as might affect mine eyes, then should 
I have hope ! if it were the effect of contri- 
tion, or consolation, it would yield me equal 
joy, that my Redeemer had not quite forsaken 
me, nor given me up to the rage of my most 
cruel enemy, but still hath mercy for me in 
store* Thus lamenting days and nights ; 
when it is day we wish for night, and when 
it is night we desire day ; fear to be alone, 
fear to be in company : we can neither read 
nor hear with attention, nor meditate on God 
with any composed devotion. Yet let me 



63 

tell thee, my friend, from experience, (as hav- 
ing waded through these, and more afflic- 
tions, that are not to be expressed) if such 
distress is now, or has been, on thee, God 
is near at hand, to bear up thy drooping soul ; 
he is ever underneath, and round about, 
though for a while thou seest him not. 

I have always found, that after such times 
he has appeared with more lustre and glory, 
to teach us not to attribute any thing to our- 
selves ; nor fix our thoughts on any thing less 
than his omnipotency. For he that has made 
the sea, and prescribed bounds to the waves 
thereof; saying, hitherto shalt thou come 
and no further, and her^ shall thy proud waves 
be stayed, is not to be limited by finite crea- 
'tures, as the best of men are. 

And though the sea may dash against the 
shore, and threaten an inundation, it cannot 
exceed its bounds but by the direction, or at 
least high sufferance of Almighty wisdom ; 
who is not less in regard to his children's well- 
being, than wise in his counsels to frustrate 
the proudest attempts of the wicked. Where- 
fore, by having an eye single to him in all 
times of tossings, and fluctuations of the mind, 
proceeding from what cause they may, is the, 



64 

most proper method to attain to a settled state 
and condition. 

When the disciples of our Lord were tossed 
on the sea, their help was near ; though to 
them Jesus seemed to be asleep and undis- 
turbed, yet his inward apprehension as God, 
was awake and ready to help them at their 
call : " Master carest thou not that we 
" perish ?" At which he arose, rebuked 
the wind, said to the sea, Peace, be still : 
and the wind ceased, and there was a great 
calm : the admiration of his disciples seemed 
to be raised more in that signal deliver- 
ance than in any other miracle, inasmuch 
as they were, at that time, the immediate 
objects of his mercy, and partook of the 
blessing of his powerful word : neither did 
they fail to return their acknowledgments, by 
saying, What manner of a man is this, that 
even the wind and the seas obey him ? 

Thus is he near, when he seems to be nipst 
absent; ready to help in every needful time 
of trouble, as he is called upon in the least 
degree- of faith : settling and quieting the 
mind in his own time. His deliverance comes 
sometimes entirely unexpected by the crea- 
ture ; but whether it comes early or late in 
that deliverance, there is a looking back with 



6$ 

wonder and acknowledgment to God. As 
Israel sang on the banks of the sea, saying, 
The Lord is glorious in holiness, fearful in> 
praises, doing wonders : or again, These 
are thy wonderful works, O Lord ! my soul 
hath been brought down to the borders of the 
pit, and thou hast delivered it again from the 
destroyer, and hast once more set my feet in 
the just man's path, in the bright- shining 
light, that shall shine more and more unto the 
perfect day* In those short intervals the soul 
gathers strength to ascend to its beloved, 
and rejoices in her happy deliverance from 
bondage. 

And it is agreeable to the experience of many 
that there is no state that produces such con- 
vincing proof of the regard of heaven, as that 
wherein we are reduced to poverty and want, 
in such a manner as that there appears nothing 
but confusion ; the very brute animals seeni 
in the more desirable condition ; they rove idly 
unemployed, and have their food prepared 
in season, and if they are slain, death is to 
them an end of all their sorrows. The trees, 
shrubs, and all the species of inanimate things, 
seem to discover a greater beauty, and dis- 
play a livelier texture of their great original 
thaa we ; these, though they suffer decay in 

* 2 



<36 

nature by the scythe of time, and are soon 
reduced to the e arth from whence they sprung, 
yet suffer an insensible waste ; and as they 
are not sensible of pain, they neither can, 
nor need cry out for succour. But mail, the 
noblest part of God's creation, made to adore 
and reverence the Supreme Being with sub- 
lime intellects, is taught of God to trust in 
him, to wait upon him, to be resigned to 
his will in all things, and if at any time he is 
pleased to hide his face, it is in order to man- 
ifest his power, and bring forth more lasting 
fruits of praise to himself, and more honour 
I dignity to the creature, by virtue of his 
own prolific word. For by death, life is per- 
fected. By staining the glory of this world, 
the glory of God is rendered conspicuous. 
By seeing ourselves really as we are, we have ^ 
a glimpse of what God is. By beholding 
our own emptiness, w r e desire to partake of 
his fulness: by feeling our own poverty, we 
desire his riches ; by being hungry and thirs- 
ty, we have a true relish of the bread and 
water of life ; by a real sense of our own un- 
wort)iiness, we dare not rnurmer, if we re- 
ceive nothing ; but in all states, with the holy 
apostle, learn to be content. Thus God be- 
comes all in all. And thus it is necessary 



67 

that we have a spiritual assistance to distin- 
guish times and seasons, as they are in the 
hand of God : when we abound, not to be 
lifted up ; when in poverty and want, not to 
repine too much; when afflicted, that we pray, 
and first seek for the spirit of grace and sup- 
plication that we may be directed how and in 
what manner to pray. 

For it is not always right that we should 
have what we most desire, as creatures, but 
that which is most profitable for us as Chris- 
tians, believers, and followers of Christ, 
who was a most perfect pattern of humility 
and selfdenial whilst in the flesh. And w r hen 
near to offer up his life for the sins of the 
whole world, and having an apprehension of 
the greatest figonies, he breathes, " O my 
" Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass 
" from me!" But as if he checked himself, 
adds with submission and filial duty, " Ne- 
" vertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 55 

We have need to wait in stillness to be re- 
newed with strength, by virtue of the holy 
anointing, to know what to ask, and temper 
our longings by a perfect submission : some- 
times, to ask no more than to be endued with 
patience and strength to endure the present 



affliction, that it may terminate to our advan- 
tage, and acceptance to Almighty God. 

At another time, when the days of capti- 
vity are ended and the seed which has been 
oppressed is set at liberty, the soul breathes 
as in open air, and is enabled to ascend to the 
divine majesty, with free supplication, and 
and an earnest is, as it were, resounding 
back with heavenly harmony, which gives a 
firm belief, that our prayers are heard. 

But when the emanations of this divine life 
are absent, (which is not to be accounted 
strange) the enemy of man's peace and hap- 
piness who waits all opportunities, like a rest- 
less and indefatigable foe, to besiege,, and if 
possible to destroy and lay waste the whole city 
of God: he is then ready to make his strongest 
attempts to shake the foundation. But the 
foundation of God stands sure, having this 
seal, the Lord knows them that are his. 

The enemy may tempt us y and raise great 
disorders and fluctuations in the mind with- 
out any cause assigned ; but he that was a 
ftar and murderer from the beginning, is so 
still •, and as he abode not in the truth, his 
envy is raised more particularly against all 
those who strive to persevere in it. Let us 
trust in God, who will not suffer us to be 



69 

tempted above that we are able to bear, but 
will with the temptation also make a way to 
escape it. 

My dear friend : though I seem to have 
exceeded the bounds of a letter, I am obliged 
to confine my thoughts, and can send thee 
only a short abstract of w T hat has presented 
itself to my mind with a share of warmth 
and sweetness. I shall add, it hath been my 
humble petition to Almighty God, that he 
may vouchsafe to draw nigh, with the visi- 
tations of his pure light, and in mercy cause 
his brightness to appear, by removing the 
cloud which hangs over the tabernacle, and 
so far favour those who have no might of 
their own, as to guard them with his own 
arm by day and night, gently leading those 
that are with young, bearing them in his 
arms. 

LETTER XIX. 

THOUGH time and strength seem to fail 
more fully to visit you in the exercise of that 
part of the ministry which the Lord hath been 
pleased graciously to bestow upon me, )<et I 
am glad and thankful for this opportunity of 
seeing and conversing with my dear friends in 



70 

this kingdom, who are preserved a tender 
and zealous people, to the honour of God ; 
which renders my visit, under the many af- 
flicting circumstances attending, easy and 
profitable to me, in the best things. Never- 
theless, it comes upon me to make some 
short remarks to you, from a tender concern 
for the church's edification and not discour- 
agement : and first, in general; it is more 
than a little manifest, there is a great declen- 
sion of true love and tenderness among us 
towards to Lord, and one another ; and in 
too many elders, both in respect to their own 
condition, and the tuition of their children. 
In many of the youth there appears little sense 
of truth : but as some have already taken 
their flight, more seem to be upon the wing: 
which in a word, seems to lie much at the 
doors of such elders who have not kept their 
first love. Is not blindness in part already 
happened to Israel, through the subtle work- 
ings and aboundings of the mystery of iniquity, 
and the prevalence of the God of this world : 
let us therefore as many as have the cause of 
truth at heart, offer our supplications, with 
strong cries to the Lord, (as good Jacob did 
when the enemy was coming in like a flood, to 
destroy the heritage and seed Qf promise,) 



71 

that he will be graciously pleased, for hfo 
great name's sake, to turn the captivity of 
his people, by the renewing of his powerful 
visitation on many ; to the searching and ten. 
dering of deceitful h^rd and ungreatfui hearts, 
who cover and hide themselves as Adam did, 
after he had sinned ; but they cannot hide 
from the Lord, nor escape his judgments. O 
how hard, cold, and unprofitable do our reli- 
gious meetings often appear to be : which 
have formerly been our greatest comfort and 
joy in the Lord, and in one another, though 
at times silent, and attended with difficulty. 
This is lamentable to the living, who have 
known it otherwise, and sufficient proof there 
is a great declension among us. 

Further, our Christian testimony against 
tithes, which has cost us so much spoil of 
goods, and hard sufferings in person, even 
unto death of some to maintain, seems now 
an insupportable burthen to manj r professing 
the same faith ; who, by treachery and cow- 
ardly flight give it up, and surrender it to 
the enemy, to the great affliction of many 
valliants in Israel ; both on behalf of their 
condition, who so do, and in that the bur- 
then lies heavier on the rest. Such persisting 
will never prosper, but shall be made mani- 



72 

fest, go where they may : yea, although 
they should say in their hearts, we will go up 
to a land of peace and plenty, where we shall 
see no war, nor hear the sound of the trum- 
pet, neither suffer the lack of bread. How 
would such, who cannot suffer cheerfully for 
one branch of the testimony, have stood in 
the days of our fathers ? As the prophet Je- 
" remiah saith,* If thou hast run with the 
" footmen, and they have overcome thee, how 
u canst thou contend with horses ? and if in 
" the land of peace, wherein thou trustest, 
" they have wearied thee, then how wilt thou 
" do in the swelling of Jordan ?" 

Again, it is afflicting to consider how our 
Christian reputation is stained in matters of 
meum and tuum, whilst we are the highest 
professing people. Surely, the generality of 
the unhappy failures that have happened 
among us, are through unfaithfulness and 
neglect of the divine principle of light and 
truth within, as well as repeated advice and 
warning of tender concerned friends ; who 
have at heart the temporal and eternal happi- 
ness of the society. I say, it is for want of 
an obedient ear and steady attention there- 
unto, which would produce faith in him that 
feeds the ravens, and clothes the lilies; and 



73 

has promised the necessary to his humble 
depending children, giving sweet content 
therein : for he who murmers at his little, 
would be exalted in the enjoyment of much, 
but they who trust in the Lord, shall not be 
confounded ; neither shall they fall into dis- 
grace on the one hand, nor snares on the 
other, 

• Now, dear friends, the sense of these things 
is very afflicting to the faithful, both mini- 
sters and others, who discern the sad signs of 
this time ; are sound in judgment, steady in 
love, strong in faith, and are concerned to 
run to and fro as upon Zion's walls ; visiting 
public meetings, and private families; rising 
early, and testifying faithfully what the coun- 
sel of the divine oracle is, as far as known 
to them ; and that unless there is a laying to 
heart, and more fruit of righteousness, love 
to God, and tenderness to the praise and 
glory of God, a sifting time will come, and 
not to speak prophetically, is believed to be 
near, notwithstanding some may say, " Every 
" vision faileth, and the days are prolonged : 
" but thus saith the Lord, the days are at 
" hand, and the effect of every vision, " 
(Ezek. 12.) for the abominations and daily 
profanations of the people, and for the 



74 

great declension of many among us. For 
many are the awakening testimonies of this 
day, which are, and have been delivered by 
the afflicted servants and handmaids of the 
Lord who go bowed down in painfulness and 
weariness. But some are ready to say, The 
ministry is not what it has been. It may be 
so w 7 ith respect to particulars : but blessed 
be the Lord, there is still a faithful, and free 
ministry: free from self-seeking, free from 
partiality and deceit, in whom there is no 
straitness, but as saith the apostle, " the 
" straitness is in your own bowels;" and 
considering how great that straitness is in the 
hearts of many, I am thankful that the true 
ministry is not yet shut up towards Israel, 
and the stream of it turned other ways : many 
love to hear, but not to do, yet the time is 
not come f wherein it is said, " Let them 
alone." 

O that this lethargy and sleep of death may 
be come out of through speedy repentance 
and amendment ; else I believe the Lord will 
riot continue long thus to expose his servants : 
but the word of the Lord shall be precious, 
and many will say, " Blessed is he that cometh 
" in the name of the Lord." A precious 
seed nevertheless is remaining in both elders 






75 

and young men, whom the Lord hath blessed, 
and will preserve as in the hollow of his hand, 
until his indignation be over-past: yea and 
his holy arm of power, (stretched forth in 
wrath for the punishment of the wicked) is 
also revealed for their salvation, whose prayers 
and intercessions with the great and most 
merciful God, have prevailed for prolonging 
his tender visitations, and sparing the nations, 
even in a degree, as that of Abraham and 
Moses did : and I fully believe, that although 
the church will suffer, and the nations be 
afflicted, and not only the earth but the hea- 
vens also will be shaken, and that there will 
be many pained hearts, and pale faces, yet 
afterwards, the air will be clear, calm and 
temperate, the earth fruitful, plenteous the 
dew of heaven, and great the harvest ; even 
after Jerusalem is purged and Zion hath sha- 
ken herself from the dust of the earth, and 
hath put on her pure, and primitive garments 
of faith, love, zeal, simplicity, temperance 
and moderation. For I trust to die in tjie 
faith of this, that the Lord will yet make his 
church an eternal excellency, the beauty of 
nations, and the glory of the whole earth : 
whose foundations stand sure, (though many 
slide therefrom,) otheF than which, believed 



76 

in by us, shall never be laid : that is, the 
light and manifestations of the spirit of Christ, 
the true teacher and comforter, the infallible 
guide unto life and peace, who promised to 
be with the faithful to the end of the world. 

The sense of the life and virtue of this 
principle, wherein stands our sweet commu- 
nion and heavenly fellowship, dravv r s me to- 
wards you the chosen of the Lord, to bear 
his natne ; notwithstanding I cannot but be 
thus plain. To conclude, I declare my be- 
lief, the Lord waits to be gracious : O there- 
fore let all prepare to meet him, by a dili- 
gent improvement of their own gifts : therein 
wait with fear and reverence in all your meet- 
ings, for the overshadowing of the pure pow- 
er and tendering love; therein act in truth's 
concerns with cheerfulness and success : for 
the Lord Almighty will give a blessing, 
(whose counsel and secrets are with them that 
fear him,) even to the bringing to light the 
hidden abominations, and discovering stum- 
bling blocks : and to the comforting the weak, 
who have been offended, and turned out of 
the way : to the reaching and tendering the 
youth, to the recovery, at least of some back- 
sliders, and poor lost sheep : so will the 
church in general be comforted, her afflicted 



77 

ministers relieved, and the Lord over all glo- 
rified, who with his Son the Lamb, is wor- 
thy for ever. 

LETTER XX. 

IN the spring of immortal love I greet thee, 
wishing thy soul's welfare in Christ Jesus. 

Beloved, with whom my soul hath often 
been comforted ; it is in my mind to express 
to thee the sense I have of the work to which 
w r e are called, which is very weighty. To 
be as the mouth of the Lord to an assembly; 
and to be as the mouth of an assembly to the 
Lord, is a matter of great importance, in 
which we have need to take care to behave 
ourselves wisely. 

Ministers are as the watchmen spoken of in 
Scripture ; if they warned not the people 
faithfully in the word of the Lord, he was to 
require the blood of the people at thier hands. 
If ministers are not faithful in the word of 
reconciliation, the more will be their con- 
demnation. 

Now, as we ought to be faithful in the deli- 
very of our testimony, or as I may say the 
word of the Lord through us, so -we. ought 
to be watchful, that we may not give enter- 

e 2 



78 

tainment to what is not the word of the Lord 
to his people : we ought to take heed that 
we go not forth upon openings barely, al- 
though they are witnessed in the life, which 
may be designed for our own interest and 
edification. As we abide in the wisdom of 
God, it will be clearly seen what we should 
join with, and what refuse ; what to commu- 
nicate to others, and what to apply to our- 
selves. 

And in our testimony let us keep to fresh 
openings ; even such as have the weight of 
the living word in them, and be veiy care- 
ful that we lay not hold of former openings, 
neither of our own nor others ; lest it be like 
the manna which was gathered yesterday, and 
lest we be guilty of stealing the word from 
others. 

Above all things let us travail for life in 
meetings : though there may be a dependance 
upon, and desire after, words in a meeting; 
which we being sensible of are not to go forth 
with former openings, and what we have trea- 
sured up in our memories of our own, or 
the openings of others, thinking thereby to 
supply the service of a meeting. This is but 
will-worship, and an offering which the liv- 
ing God will reject. I have considered how 



79 

it fared with Saul, who being pressed with 
difficulties, viz. the camp of the Philistines 
near, and the people of Israel like to scatter, 
the prophet Samuel being absent : in this 
strait Saul offers a sacrifice, for which he was 
reproved by the prophet, who told him he had 
done foolishly, and that his kingdom should not 
continue. Here is an instance of the danger 
of forward offering, although there was a seem- 
ing necessity for something to be done. Let 
us bring the matter home to ourselves : let us 
not be hasty, but keep close to the word of 
life : and though the dependance of the peo- 
ple may be upon thee, and in all likelihood 
none to answer the service in a publick way 
but thyself, yet if the power of the Lord is 
not witnessed, and his word open not in thee, 
venture not, but wait in the patient suffering, 
for it will do no good. Such reasoning as 
these may attend : here are divers come in 
that are sober, and well inclined, perhaps if 
a testimony was borne, they might receive 
benefit by it; surely I may take liberty to 
tell them my own experience, and how the 
Lord visited me in their state ; it may have 
no evil effect, though I am not constrained 
to do it ; in answer to which I say, the best 
of this sort is but will- worship, which finds 



80 

no acceptance with God, neither will it in 
any wise promote the work and service ; for 
the will of man must come to be laid in the 
dust, before the will of God can be done by 
us. We may plead excuse that it is done in 
a zeal for God and his truth ; but that will 
not do, whilst the moving cause of our per- 
formance is too much in active self, and the 
creaturely will. 

Silent, painful, patient suffering in times 
of desertion, will be much more acceptable 
to God and beneficial to the people, and prove 
much more to our own peace, and inward 
strength. Othat we ma}' keep* to the power 
of God in all things ; that, being seasoned 
therewith, we may preach in our lives and 
conversations. This will adorn our doctrine, 
beautify our souls, and make us comely in 
the eyes of our beloved. 

Great is the goodness and love of our God, 
in that he hath condescended to make known 
the riches of his free love to poor striplings : 
choosing the weak, simple, and mean things 
in m^n's estimation, for his use and service : 
O that we may feel the weight of his love 
herein, so as to be humbly bowed before 
him into nothingness of self ; that what we 



81 

are, we may really be by the power and grace 
of God, 

I fear some rush into things hastily, with- 
out considering their weight and importance : 
whereby their standing hath been dangerous. 
It is the life of religion that is a shelter from 
the heat, and a covert from the storms, and 
as the shade of a mighty rock in a weary land. 

LETTER XXI. 

10th Mo. 1760. 

THE relation I stand in to one of thy little 
scholars, binds me in duty to take all possi- 
ble care, that she may be kept in infant inno- 
cence ; and insructed in every moral duty, 
as well as Christian virtue. I took early care 
to instill into her tender mind, a reverent and 
awful sense of the Supreme Being ; the for- 
mer, as well as great legislator of all his 
creatures. 

When amongst the moral and divine laws 
he enjoyed his early church, the following 
was not the least commandment (having a 
special penalty annexed) " Thou shalt not 
" take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; 
" for the Lord will not hold him guiltless 
H thattaketh his name in vain.'' 



82 

Thfe injunction remaining in force upon all 
Christians, I toot care to put her in mind of 
it; and wherever I observed her using ex- 
pressions that in the least by similitude of 
sound bordered upon it, I always chid her for 
it : so that upon these admonitions, I kept 
her, as often as I was with her, innocent of 
this evil which, it is to be remarked with sor- 
row, too many called Christians are not afraid 
to be in the daily commission of, though they 
so often hear the third command repeated. 

And now to come to the occasion of this 
address to thee. When my grand-daughter 
went from school sick of the measles, I was 
with her, till she recovered. But to ray great 
surprise, in the course of her illness, the 
repetition of plain O Lord, without disguise, 
came so often from her, that it afflicted me 
greatly : as I began to fear my labour would 
prove in vain, she being out of the way of my 
counsel and admonition. I asked her how she 
got that habit of speech ; she answered, the 
girls at school said so. 

As it cannot be supposed that at thy advan- 
ced age the children should be always under 
thy notice, yet I hope thou wilt give instruc- 
tions to thy assistants to discountenance such 
an evil practice among the children. We 



83 

may remark it is a common proverb , M That 
" manners make the man," and conse- 
quently the agreeable woman. I do not mean 
a civil and becoming behaviour only, though 
that is indispensably necessary towards form- 
ing either sex, but a care is due to their mor- 
als, by observing and correcting their early 
passions : I mean not by whipping children 
out of their foibles, but, by a proper autho- 
rity, subjecting their tempers, humours, and 
inclinations to pride, and ill nature and stub- 
borness. 

I have no intention to give thee offence by 
these remarks, but am obliged to say thus 
much in point of duty. 

LETTER XXII. 

7th Mo. 1751. 

IT is four years since it pleased the Divine 
Being to draw me in a manner (which is won- 
derful to me, and which I cannot now com- 
prehend) to draw me, I say into a consider- 
ation of my state, and repentance for my long 
backslidings, and a desire for forgiveness 
and acceptance again. In the infancy of those 
times, many were my sighs and tears, but 
many were the promises which encouraged 



84 

my perseverance in the path of judgment. As 
I went on, I found the enemy of all good, 
after having in vain assayed to cast me down 
below measure, (by adding imaginary fuel 
to that of godly sorrow which worketh true 
repentance,) endeavouring in the progress of 
my travel to elevate me too much, by per- 
suading me that now there was no necessity 
for so much mortification, self-denial, and 
retiredness, as aforetime. And in this, to 
my shame, I will confess, he too often pre- 
vailed. But through the tender mercy of the 
Father of mercies, notwithstanding the work- 
ing of the adversary upon a disposition natur- 
ally light, vain, and inconstant, I have been 
preserved, if not always in the midst of the 
right path, yet with my face always set that 
way. And though instrumental helps do not 
affect me so much as formerly, yet is my 
spirit often as much contrited as ever, my 
heart as much enlarged in prayers and tears, 
and my desires after invisibles, as strong as 
ever. But, dear friend, here is my strait 
and difficulty, that though I have as it were 
passed from the watchmen,- yet still I find 
not him, to my comfort, whom my soul lov- 
eth ; but the morning seeems to be as far off, 
as when I first perceived it was night : and in 






85 

this distress I am at times ready to cry out, 
Oh, wilt thou never, never appear ! surely 
none have been so dealt with as I ! must I 
be the only one who seeks thy face in vain ? 

One crumb, the smallest pittance, so it be 
the divine, will suffice me! then am I brought 
into the deepest humiliation, and ready to 
make covenant, that I will be any thing or 
nothing, so that I may be admitted to be one 
of this family. O surely it is a matter of 
great difficulty to be re-admitted, so that 
those who are in any degree favoured with 
an abode here, had need to use all diligence 
to obtain a settlement and establishment, that 
they may go no more out. 

LETTER XXIIL 

7th Mo. 1752. 

THOUGH my ability is weak, my under- 
standing and experience very little, and my 
stability still less, so that I am sure I am in a 
state which wants to receive advice and en- 
couragement, rather than give" it : yet in my 
poor measure, I am willing to do any little 
thing in my power for the good of my dear 
friends ; whom I sincerely love, for that 
cause, which more than all things, I desire 
should prosper. Ancf therefore, dear cousin, 

H 



86 

I would invite thee not to dainties, for I have 
not for many years had any for myself; but 
come along with me to a preparation and a 
capacity for receiving of them. We must 
first be washed in the water of life before we 
can taste thereof. . 

The angel, (the messenger of the cove- 
nant,) must be pleased first to descend and 
trouble the waters, (our thoughts, affections 
and desires,) then the lame must be washed 
therein before he can be healed. This, which 
is the washing of regeneration, is the first step 
to be made preparatory to the remission of sins 
and witnessing the times of refreshment from 
before the Lord : an operation which too ma- 
ny are not willing to undergo. Like Naaman 
they think it too mean to wash in the little 
river of Jordan, and like him they would 
have their change brought about after some 
more great and powerful manner. But my 
poor soul knows by the experience of some 
years, and by many and deep baptisms, that 
the Almighty is indeed various in his opera- 
tions, working diversely on divers hearts, 
and causing the kingdom of Saul to grow 
weaker and weaker, and the kingdom of Da- 
vid to grow stronger and stronger, in ji quick- 
er or slower manner according to his own 



87 

wisdom in those whom it has pleased him to 
visit ; but that he is invariable in this, that he 
requires of each of us to seek unto him alone 
and follow him (not by imitation of others 
but by the teachings of his own spirit with 
faithfulness, patience, humility, and resig- 
nation) in that particular way which he has 
cast up for us to walk in. And if we be en- 
gaged steadily to proceed herein, we shall ex- 
perience in our own particulars the fulfilling 
of the dispensation antecedent to the. coming 
of Christ, viz. The voice of one crying hi 
the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the 
Lord, make straight his paths, or make 
straight in the desart a high way for our God. 

LETTER XXIV. 

8th Mo. 1752, 

MANY are the visited and called of the 
Lord, but few are his shosen. The reason I 
believe is, because all those who are visited 
are not faithful to the little discoveries which 
are made to them : some are too stubborn or 
cowardly to bear the cross, and others are 
too wise ; and by their reasoning and com- 
paring, instead of obedience to the convic- 
tions of grace, cause the eye which has in 



88 

measure been opened, to be closed again by 
the God of this world and of the wisdom 
which is in it. If thou be determined, dear 
friend, in good earnest to press forward, and 
endeavour to persevere to the end, (for run- 
ning well for a time will stand us in little stead) 
keep nothing alive which should be slain, 
give up cheerfully to the fire that chaffy com- 
bustible nature which is for the fire ; and let 
the sv^ord of the Spirit pierce and divide 
that which is for the sword ; and as thou art 
faithful herein thou wilt know by degrees 
judgment to be brought forth into victory, 
and thou shalt in due season feel that peace 
which passeth the understanding. 

LETTER XXV. 

4th Mo. 1755. 

WE should labour to comm and our own 
spirits, which not being properly subjected, 
I believe, often prevent the spirit of truth 
from reigning and governing in us : without 
whose influence, how can we walk exemplary 
before our families and neighbours, or be ser- 
vicable in the society. I have thought that 
we are compound beings, and as we are a mix- 
ture of matter and spirit, soul and body,, so 



89 

the soul has a mixture of the natural and spi- 
ritual, which have a very close connection. 
Neither is this connection between the natural 
and spiritual part of the soul any more neces* 
sary ttt be divided for our well being (in some 
degree) in this life, than the soul and body. 
It is requisite that, in both cases, the natural 
be subject to the spiritual. But as the im- 
proper usage of the body often stupifies the 
soul, so the improper government of our 
own spirits often hinders the arising into do- 
minion of the spirit of truth. 

Let us then, dear friend, use all the means 
in our power to keep our own spirits in sub- 
jection, and regulate our outward affairs as 
well as we can in order to attain that end ; 
and Providence, doubtless, will not be want- 
ing by supernatural aid to assist us in subdu- 
ing those enemies of our own house ; that 
so by degrees body, soul and spirit, may be 
brought into a proper rectitude in his sight. 
Methinks it is a very useful and essential part 
of knowledge, to distinguish between the na- 
tural and spiritual both in ourselves and 
others, in order to be rightly qualified for the 
service of this day. But our owe fallen wis- 
dom can never comprehend this knowledge. 
This is only to be learned of the word, which 

h 2 



s 



90 

the apostle compares to a sword that can 
make a division, as between the joints and 
marrow, the soul and spirit, 

LETTER XXVL 

1st Mo. 1761. 
SURELY some people or other, of honest 
plain and simple hearts, will be raised up as 
witnesses to this life: for, as to the generality 
of us now making profession of it, there are 
numbers, who seem entirely unacquainted 
with the influence of it, and neither to own it in 
their experience, nor confess it in their lives. 
According to my little sense, a spirit of ease 
and indifference has taken such strong root 
amonor us that it must be some violent and ter- 
rible shock that will loosen it* A declension is 
often and justly complained of, but I wish we 
would each strictly examine ourselves, how 
far we are clear of it. It has of late appeared 
to me that whoever through want of watch- 
fulness or faithfulness does not come up in 
the rank and station allotted to him, but falls 
short of the service designed him, comes 
short of the glory of God, and contributes 
'individually to this general declension, though 
he may have been and still is the visited of 



91 

the Lord, and a child of the family: and 
when I consider the excellence and impor- 
tance of the cause of true religion, and what 
manner of persons those should be who are 
engaged to be active therein, I have been 
ready to say, Who is sufficient for these 
things? these reflections above hinted seem 
however to have this good effect on myself, 
that measuring what I am by what I ought to 
be, and perhaps might have been,, if it had 
not been my own fault, I am made thorough- 
ly sensible of my own weakness and worth- 
lessness. I wish I could as effectually get 
released from my failings, as I plainly see 
them, and sometimes heartily lament them, 

LETTER XXVIL 

5th Mo. 1762. 

WE have been informed of thy embarking 
in the uncertain and precarious business of a 
boarding school. It may well be termed 
embarking, because it seems much to depend 
on the temper and caprice of others ; tem- 
pers fluctuating and changeable. But as 
there is one whom the winds and seas obey, 
so if we first and principally seek his bless- 
ing, and demean ourselves at all times and JUi 



92 

all places with such a tender regard to his ho- 
nour, and fidelity to his testimony, as will 
most certainly draw down his notice and fa- 
vour upon us, we shall do well in every re- 
spect; and if he causes us to be stewards 
over much, he will teach us to use it to his 
honour: if m his infinite and unsearchable 
wisdom he sees meet to grant but a little, the 
little, with his blessing, will be sufficient 
and best. For thy own sake therefore, dear 
friend, for the sake of thy own true interest 
temporal and spiritual, and for the sake of 
that most noble and glorious cause, which 
blessed are they who (by their precept, influ- 
ence and example) contribute to help forward- 
every one in his rank and station, even the 
cause of that religion which w T e profess, 
(Christianity in its purity, undefiled with the 
mixture of worldly rites, observations and 
ceremonies) be humble and steady, be much 
in retirement, think nothing of thyself, think 
nothing of thy person, nothing of thy parts 
either natural or improved ; if thou be ele- 
vated with any of these, or any other consi- 
deration, thou wilt never be truly honoura- 
ble : the eye of heaven will view thy lofty 
dwelling with disapprobation, for what is the 
most pompous state of man with respect to 



93 

personal accomplishments and acquisitions, 
in the view of him, who charges even his 
angels with folly, and the very Leavens are 
not pure in his sight ? Consider what man- 
ner of person it is whom the sacred scriptures 
bear record that the favourable regard of om- 
nipotence is toward, " But to this man will I 
V look, even to him that is poor and of a con* 
" trite spirit, and trembleth at my word," 
But if thou walk in such humility and self- 
abasement as the true light will shew thee is 
altogether becoming thy state, condition and 
existence, if thou diligently hearken to, 
and faithfully obey the dictates of that holy 
principle of grace, which is the criterion of 
our religious profession, thou wilt be in the 
favour and under the protection of divine 
Providence, and no necessary good thing, 
spiritual or temporal, will be wanting. 

LETTER XXVIIL 

5th Mo. 1762. 

THAT crafty enemy with whom we have 
to contend, well knows how to turn the en- 
gines of our passions against our own souls, 
to batter down the walls and bulwarks of our 
salvation ; he endeavours to draw out of the 



94 

way the youth and middle aged, by the allure- 
ments of deceitful pleasures, or to encumber 
or retard them in it by the weight of worldly 
cares ; and if by the special favour and inter- 
position of divine help, they have escaped 
the baits laid for that season of life, and have 
arrived to old age ; neither there are they safe 
of themselves. He attacks the old with their 
own natural infirmities of body and mind, so 
nearly connected, that the one often affects 
the other, if they have lived from youth to 
age in serving themselves only, and in insen- 
sibility as to religion, his business is'to rock 
them to sleep still, till they sleep the sleep of 
death: but if in the more active part of life 
they have been quickened with a sense of 
good, and been enabled to do something for 
this blessed cause, he would endeavour to 
turn their view to what they have done ; as 
though that was some merit and some honour 
to them, and as though that was sufficient 
for them : he would make use of the heavi- 
ness and inaction natural to that stage of life 
to prevent them from that lively exercise of 
spirit, in which both young and old must 
witness their minds to be cleansed and renew- 
ed, not only for every day's particular ser- 
vice which it brings along with it, while we 



95 

are in the body, but which is absolutely ne- 
cessary for the preservation of the life of our 
own souls. 



LETTER XXIX. 

4th Mo. 1752. 

OH, that I may come to be more and 
more weaned from the love of the world, its 
friendships and its wisdom, and all the wit 
and devices of my restless enemy, self. And 
this has been, and I hope will be, my desire 
for thee ; that thou may more and more be 
enamoured with the plainness and simplicity 
of the truth, and by keeping low in the light, 
mayest see and escape the subtilty of the 
serpent in all his seemingly glorious transfor- 
mations, in all his efforts to puff thee up, 
and all his splendid enticements to deceive. 
Thou knowest far better than I where and 
how he is best seen and avoided, and where 
thy great strength lies ; but my unfeigned love 
for thee, and not any distrust of thy stabili- 
ty, or information from any one, prompts 
and emboldens me to take this freedom with 
thee. It is my knowledge of thy good qua- 
lities, which the great giver of all good has 
(for a purpose of his own glory) endowed 



96 

thee with, and not thy bad ones (for such 
are unknown to me) that makes me so much 
desire thy preservation, and that those gifts 
and graces may be kept pure and chaste with* 
out any base alloy : which I hope and believe 
they hitherto are, 

LETTER XXX. 

9th Mo. 1752. 

MY beloved friend, how sensible am I of 
the necessity of a total and absolute resigna- 
tion and subjection of our will to the divine 
will, if we ever come to be truly profitable 
to ourselves, or fit instruments in the Lord's 
hand for carrying on his work effectually in 
the earth, I cannot but think that if our 
wills were thus yoked, the work would not 
only go on more prosperously, but be far 
easier to the instruments of it : if our own 
wills were thoroughly mortified and self of no 
reputation. When the opposers of tru th raged 
and struck against the testimony of it, they 
might indeed grieve that which bore witness 
for the truth in the instrument, but could 
not gratify their malice in grieving the in- 
strument itself, because self in it being alrea- 
dy quite abased and in the dust, the arrow 



would fly ineffectually over its head. Accord- 
ing to my small judgment, this habitual pro- 
stration of self would be an excellent preser- 
vative, not only against being too much 
affected by the good will and applause, but 
also against being so much troubled and afflict- 
ed by the malice and bitterness of men. It 
is a kind of balking the devil and his agents : 
for being already in the valley, it is impossi- 
ble for them to cast us from an eminence. 



LETTER XXXL 

3d Mo. 175S. 
THE sorrows and heaviness which the 
Lord brings over his people immediately, for 
his own wise purposes, or which are permitted 
to befall them by adverse accidents, or some- 
times by means of the wicked, which (as the 
psalmist says) are his sword : these are, or 
may be, for the preparing of the heart for 
his service, or for weaning from this transi- 
tory world and the love of it ; and the Lord 
is pleased often to sweeten such bitter cups : 
the troubles which we bring on ourselves, 
through our own unwatchfulness, I know by 
experience, lie with a dead weight upon us; 

i 



98 

and from such I heartily pray that both I f 
and those whom I love, may be delivered. 

LETTER XXXIL 

8th Mo. If 55. 

THOU art near to us, time nor distance 
have not obliterated the memory of those 
seasons when we have been blended into one 
spirit by baptism, and deep has spoken unto 
deep. Such is the unity, such the friendship 
and intercourse which is among the children 
born again of the spiritual birth, which the 
world knows not of. May this union still 
grow my beloved, among us, and prayer and 
supplication be more and more put up on one 
another's behalf; that we may be enabled to 
do our days work while here, and hereafter 
join the assembly of those pure spirits which 
are ever employed in celebrating the praise of 
the author of all our happiness. 

My spirit bows within me in admiration 
of that glorious hand which raises the human 
creature that is passive and obedient to his 
will, to little less than the dignity of an an- 
gel, and crowns it with glory and honour; 
anointing it with oil above its fellows, who 
indeed have souls capable of the same refine- 



99 

merit and exaltation, but for want of giving 
up all, and from being wedded to one little 
lower delight or another, move in less exalted 
orbits. 



LETTER XXXIII. 

2d Mo. 1761. 

GO on, my dear friend, in the diligent 
exercise of thy gift ; keep thy own hands 
and heart clean, and thou wilt certainly grow 
stronger and stronger. Every new faith- 
ful discharge of duty will strengthen the root 
of life in thee, and will be a means of laying 
up more treasure in heaven, which thou wilt 
enjoy in fulness at last, when a few more 
battles are fought, a few more bitter cups are 
drunk, a few more troubles from the wicked 
are over. Have a care of the world, beware 
of its connexions and its prospects; it is of 
a sticking nature, it is hard to touch it, with- 
out getting something of it upon us : if we 
do not receive the mark (visibly) in our fore- 
heads, we may be in danger of having it 
secretly in our right hands, and how then can 
we apply them to the work ? will not the sa- 
vour of the defilement (though it be but small) 






100 

be perceived by the wise, to be upon that 
which we have handled ; how then will it 
prosper ? 

LETTER XXXIV. 

6th Mo. 1761. 

THOU art now a man of experience, and 
shouldest endeavour for such a growth as the 
apostle witnessed who once was a child, but 
afterwards in all stations learned to be con- 
tent, I have thought more than usual of late 
of the withdrawing of the glory from the as- 
semblies of our society. I am jealous^ that 
it lamentably increases. What then must 
they do, who are yet in infinite mercy and 
condescension measurably preserved alive I 
what, but increase in the diligence and deep- 
ness of private retirement, wearing sackcloth 
aswithmon their flesh? Idesireabove all things 
a capacity for this inward steady waiting frame 
of spirit, being well assured that it is the 
safest state for ourselves, and most accepta- 
ble to the majesty pf heaven. May a sense 
and dread of his majesty (before whom we 
have a great and important work to do, im- 
portant to ourselves and important by our 
example to others,) I say, may his holy fear 



be ever so before our eyes, as to preserve us 
from sinning in thought; word, or deed 
against him. 

LETTER XXXV. 

10th Mo. 1763. 

I WOULD have thee (for many reasons) 
to be exemplarily generous in contributing to 
this and all other public expences relative to 
the good of the society. Let us shew that 
we have its welfare at heart, and that we are 
willing to act, as well as speak for the cause: 
there has been too great deficiency in this 
respect among some worthies ; it has hurt 
their service while they were living, and 
whose is what they saved now they are dead ? 

Many individuals of our profession, who 
are rich in this world, are not so in good 
works, nor active in helping a good work for- 
ward. They have not only deviated from the 
Christian life and manners, which we are 
called to hold forth to the view of the world; 
but they seem sunk below the human and 
rational into the brutish nature : their god is 
their belly, and their glory is their shame : 
their ultimate view and desire seems to be to 
accumulate wealth,, and gratify their sensual 

i 2 



102 

appetites: and if our society as some other 
bodies corporate, was mainly supported by 
money, I believe sooner than be at any consi- 
derable expence in supporting it they would 
let the testimony of truth fall to the ground 
and sink into oblivion, as they now trample 
upon and dishonour it by their lives and con- 
versation. 



LETTER XXXVI. 

12th Mo> 1763. 

I NOTE thy remarks, and acknowledge 
the justice of them : this wrath of man (of 
which, pride, imperiousness, self-will and 
caprice are branches) neither wills nor works 
the righteousness of God : it does no good: 
it weakens the reason, lessens the authority, 
and exposes the nakedness of all who are 
possessed by it, and act under its influence :. 
they are men of low degree^ and (in my 
opinion) if they will not submit to a proper 
subordination, and quietly learn of wisdom 
and her children, they had better be passed 
by as improper to be confederated with : they 
will then indulge their own private spleen and 
rancour ; and thev will need no other chas- 
tiser, for the fool makes a rod sufficient for 



108 

his own back. Not only in the present case,, 
but in rfrbst cases affecting the society, we 
find the middling or lower class most willing 
to bear the burthen, to conform to discipline, 
and come into method unitedly for carrying 
matters into execution ; the rich have money 
and many of them hardly any other qualifi- 
cation of value : if some of them had given 
something considerable towards this work, 
perhaps the opposition which they would 
therefore think they had a right to make to 
some salutary schemes for establishing and 
promoting it, would do more hurt than their 
money would do good. It requires, dear 
friend, much of that wisdom which dwells 
with prudence to treat with these rich men ; — 
to petition them (as it were) to give some of 
their substance towards the conservation 
of the society, when we know their lives are 
opposite to the true interests of it, and that 
they are unfit to communicate with us ; — to 
seem to want their money, and to treat with 
them for that, when it is themselves we want, 
and earnestly desire that they themselves may 
come into and be cherished by the warm bo* 
som of the church. So that, (only that we 
are all in general so little) I would.choose that 
those who are least, rather than ambassadors 



104 

of the first rank from Christ Jesus to his 
people, should be put upon the offic^of soli- 
citing for money from them for the contingent 
expences of society* 

LETTER XXXVII. 

3d Mo. 1766. 

I SEE more and more that I was not cut 
out to be a man for this world, not one of the 
wise ones and the great ones of the earth i 
nor since my thoughts took a religious turn, 
did I ever expect, or desire it* I can honestly 
say, that the greatest delight and satisfaction 
that I ever have in present possession, is to 
feel the baptism of the spirit to wash my 
heart, and unite it to the seed in the bitter 
sense of suffering ; and the most pleasing 
contemplation that I have in future prospect 
in this life, is to see the prosperity of truth 
and to be favoured with liberty and capacity to 
serve the cause thereof in my generation* 
And for the integrity of this declaration I dare 
appeal to the searcher of all hearts, who hath 
even now tendered my spirit in humble pros- 
tration before him. And I am glad to feel a 
renewal of this sacred baptism, (which first 
cemented our early acquaintance, and I trust 



105 

will preserve our fellowship unbroken to the 
end,) while I thus converse (without any pre- 
meditation) with thee* 

LETTER XXXVIII. 

6th Mo. 1771. 

I SEEM not to have any repository of 
my own, from whence I might impart any 
good thing, So far from it, I am so exceed- 
ingly reduced, so complete a bankrupt in 
my spiritual circumstances, so poor, so be- 
set and embarrassed on all sides, thai I never 
knew, heard, or read of any one like me. I 
am, or at least feel to myself, so weak at 
times, that I seem as if I could hardly hold 
together. Such is the person to whom thou 
unbosomest thy griefs. Perhaps this short 
recital of my own state, compared with thy 
own feelings, may administer some species 
of relief when thou finds that others are afflict- 
ed, tossed with tempests, and not comforted, 
as well as thyself. Thou rightly, and I 
doubt not experimentally, remarkest, that 
effectual relief must come from the Father 
who seeth in secret. He made us externally 
and visibly what we are, and endued us with 
our several organs of existence and preserva- 



106 

tion. It is be who (if we be passive under 
his hand, forming our minds, as we were 
under the same hand fashioning our bodies, 
of which we cannot make a single hair white 
or black) will construct, unite* confirm, and 
strengthen in his own time the various parts 
of our inward man ; and will endue the same 
with those spiritual senses necessary for its 
preservation, and for its ability to act properly 
in the service of its great Creator. O my 
friend, wonderfully are we made. My spirit, 
as is I doubt not thine and thy beloved con- 
sort's, is often deeply bowed in humble peti- 
tion, that Divine Providence may so steer and 
pilot our several barks through the danger- 
ous seas of life, that whatever wind from 
external circumstances blows, whether high 
or low, prosperous or adverse, whether the 
waves be rough or smooth, whether storms or 
calms, betide us, we may, enduring all with 
patience, waiting with quiet submission, not 
without at times a hope and expectation, be 
conducted safe at last into the harbour of 
eternal rest. Should every thing in the voy- 
age be quiet, easy, commodious and agree- 
able to our wishes, we might perhaps grow 
presumptuous, and by the interfering of our 
own carnal wills and wisdom take our bark 



107 

as it were out of the hands of the good pilot, 
and run it against some rocks, where it might 
perish for ever. 

LETTER XXXIX, 

4th Mo. im. 

YE have heard no doubt of our dear friend 
•having uncovered his head, his 



anointed head, in the religious assemblies in 
Dublin. My heart was glad when I heard it. 
And the desire of my spirit is, that many 
more may in all humility and prostration of 
self, wait in the deeps ; each keeping to their 
own peculiar exercise, till they receive quali- 
fication and ability to bring up their stones of 
memorial, living stones, polished and fitted in 
the depths from which they are brought. I 
have seen many sweet and promissing blos- 
soms fair and fragrant, from which delicious 
fruits might have been expected in due sea- 
son; — many hopeful youths, of both sexes, 
whom the Lord has been graciously pleased 
to visit, and to open an eye in them to see 
the beauty and excellence which is in the 
truth, and to view this world as it really is ; — 
but there has not been a following on to 
know the Lord in progressive stages of ad- 



108 

vancement. There has not been a sufficiently 
diligent waiting for the re-baptizing which 
purges and makes clean from all defilement 
of fiesh and spirit, nor for the re-anointing, 
which keeps the internal eye open, to see 
things natural and things spiritual in the pro- 
per light : so there is a dwindling, a decay- 
ing, a dwarfishness in stature; a deficiency in 
measure and weight ; and the vacant seats of 
the princes and nobles, removed from work* 
to rewards, are not effectually filled up; so that 
defect and weakness have overspread, the dig- 
nity of the Church is lowered, and her autho- 
rity, which stands in the life and in the power 
of truth, is greatly diminished. If ye are 
persuaded that these things are so, my dear 
' , do thou and some of thy near connex- 
ions look about you, and see whereabouts you 
are ; let not the cares of this life supersede 
your concern in those things which relate to a 
better that is to come. While ye are com- 
mendably and moderately diligent in outward 
business, be diligent and fervent in spirit, serv- 
ing the Lord and his cause with your best in 
your generation. Above all things feel after 
the dew of heaven ; and as much of the fatness 
of the earth as is suitable for you will be added. 
Let the pure truth and its heavenly wisdom 



109 

circumscribe your desires and designs in all 
things ; you will find its. government and 
direction most profitable, both as to the life, 
which now is, and that which is to come. 

LETTER XL. 

4th Mo. 1769. 

IT ? s parent's affliction for the loss of that 
dear departed youth I doubt not has been very 
considerable: these events are not without 
the ordering of an all-wise agent, who has 
many a wheel within a wheel in his great 
economy* Very likely in mercy he snatched, 
away this youth, now rescued from the temp- 
tations of a dangerous troublesome world : 
he loosened one of these ties, by which some 
of the survivors were connected perhaps too 
closely to present visible enjoyments, shewed 
the fallacy and uncertainty of human pro- 
spects, and I trust ; effected thereby on some 
of their minds a more solid thought of, and 
preparation lor, that awful period which ha- 
stens with uninterrupted speed upon us all. 
If we be happily preserved to steer well 
through this state of probation, we shall go 
to our beloved friends and acquaintance who 
sue gone well before us, but they cannot re- 

K 



no 

turn to us. This is a strong incitement tt 
watchfulness and care, and shews the vanity 
of a redundance of grief. 

I did not hear before thy intelligence of the 
actress thou mentions. Such tidings are very 
agreeable : but would be much more so, if 
they brought account of an humble, diligent, 
steady perseverance in the party. Many no 
doubt are visited by the power of that gospel 
which is preached in every human creature ; 
and several are animated with good desires and 
resolutions to be obedient to it : but when 
the tempter comes, practising on the inclina- 
tions, affections, and passions, and plying 
his batteries against that side whicih is most 
easily hesct, for want of the creature waiting 
for the help of the all-sufficient grace, but dal- 
lying with, and listening to the temptation, in. 
stead of growing from strength to strength 
through faithfulness in the little, the soul be- 
comes weaker and weaker, loses its hold of the 
means of * its salvation, and is in danger of 
perishing for even 



Ill 



LETTER XLL 

THOU and I r my dear friend, are blest 
with beloved consorts and true help-mates 
agreeable to our wish : we have also a tender 
hopeful progeny. May we be constantly wait* 
ing to feel our spirits seasoned with divine 
grace, and keep near that holy life, by which 
we may be enabled by example and precept 
to answer the just witness in their conscien- 
ces, and help them forward in the right road : 
not only suffering, but earnestly persuading 
the little children to come unto Christ, whose 
arms are still extended to receive them* 



■LETTER XLII. 

3d Mo. 1775. 

SUBMIT we must : our lives, the lives 
of all we hold dear to us, and every comfort 
w r e extract from ever thing, are in the hand 
of omnipotence and under his controul ; how 
awfully should we then walk before him wha 
is the source of every blessing to his depend- 
ing children, and who on the other hand (as 
a certain author most beautifully remarks) 
CcUi disquiet the soul and vex it in all its fkeul- 



ties. I have been led very lately to ponder a 
good deal on the uncertainty of our tranquil- 
ity, and the necessity of the interposition of 
that great power, to preserve us alive in every 
respect, Doubtless, whatever may be our 
trials, or from whatever quarter they may 
come, if we watch steadily ijnfc© prayer, if 
we keep a conscience void of offence, if we 
look to the Lord for succour, we shall be 
helped thro' one difficulty, and one exercise 
after another, till our measure of suffering 
is filled up, and our weary spirits are admit- 
ted into that holy rest prepared for those who 
through faith have overcome in this danger- 
ous warfare. 



LETTER XLIIL 

1st Mo* 1T8T. 
AT present, there is cause for much gra- 
titude on account of the day of prosperity 
which we are favoured with. By and by no 
doubt comes in the revolution of the seasons, 
a day of adversity, equally good and profita- 
ble for us. May we all, my dear friend, so 
improve the merciful visitations of heavenly 
regard and notice, that whether the north or 
the south wind blow upon our gardens, the 



115 

Lord's plantation in us may flourish and bring 
forth fruit, to the praise of the good and 
gracious husband n an. I am persuaded that 
his fatherly intention is to do good to your 
father's house, and to make it useful and ho- 
nourable to and among his people. But ma- 
ny, very many, are the dangers and tempta- 
tions from within and from without, which 
await the necessary cares of this life ; and the 
pursuit of things lawful from the purest and 
noblest motives, if carried to an improper 
excess, may clog the feet of the inward man, 
and prevent his running with alacrity the race 
which, by divine appointment, is set before 
him. The seeking of great things, the aspir- 
ing after this world's grandeur,, the imitating 
and emulating others who are not devoted in 
body, soul, spirit and substance to the cause 
of oyuth, hurts the tender plants of renown,, 
and retards its growth. 

But to be diligent in the spirit of our minds, 
often cultivating seasons of retirement, watch- 
ing daily and hourly unto prayer for preserva- 
tion from evil and for divine acceptance, wit- 
nessing from time to time that baptism which 
cleanses from all defilement of flesh and spirit, 
doing nothing which we are persuaded in the 
secret of our own minds is wrong, and being, 

k 2 



114 

faithful to every manifestation of active duty; 
this I believe is the way to draw down the 
blessing of heaven, and perpetuate it among 
us. 



LETTER XLIV. 

3d Mo* 176$. 

INFIRMITIES of various kinds are bjr 
the appoinment of Infinite Wisdom allotted 
to our nature, and one disorder or other, 
with more or less speed, will work the decay 
of the mortal part of us all : some disorders 
hurry us with pain and anguish out of life, as 
it were with open force and violence, while 
others gradually undermine the constitution ; x 
and the absence of mucli pain causing a flat- 
tering hope of longer continuance, the fraiL 
tabernacle is dissolved before we are well 
aware. In this, in that, in every circum- 
stance o r life or death, there is one, and but 
one,, aure hope to anchor our tossed tried 
v jssel; to wit, the earnest of eternal rest and 
peace. This has made the death-bed, even, 
when agonizing pain of body has attended, 
as a bed of roses,, and the pale messenger 
laaa been welcomed, as one come to release 



115 

the soul from the fetters of mortality, that it 
may take its flight into the regions of pure 
joy, and unmixed undisturbed felicity*. 

LETTER XLV. 

7th Mo. 1763, 

I READ thy last v and attended to the con- 
tents with a mind impressed with sorrow, 
and indeed sorrow and trouble are at times; 
spread before me on account of the situation 
of things in our religious society. What is 
the reason that many educated amongst us? 
should be such enemies to the truth which 
they profess I yea, the enmity of their spirits 
(like thick darkness) is to be felt: What must 
be opposed to these fiery darts ? for my part, 
I know nothing more likely for the honest 
hearted to defend themselves withal and pre- 
serve their own spirits, nor by which they 
may overcome the agents of the wicked one, 
than the power of gospel of love. This if 
patiently kept to, will work wonders : this is 
invincible, and its armour impenetrable. 
But if this be in any measure departed from, 
or adulterated with self-love (which is the: 
parent of resentment) it causes a breach in, 
the panoply (the whole armour) of God whq>r 



116 

is love, and so leaves some weak part un- 
guarded to be wounded and hurt. If any 
therefore have been injured or hurt, to a deep 
search after the healing virtue of this divine 
love, I would earnestly recommend them ; 
and as this becomes predominant in the mind,. 
it will influence to say and do these things, 
and these only, which make for peace ; and 
it will bear down all before it, and in du§ 
time re-possess the gates of its enemies. 

LETTER XL VI. 

llth Mo. 1766, 
I CAN conceive by past sorrowful experi- 
ence the trouble your family must be in, on 
the distressing occasion which thou menti- 
ons ;. and more especially such of you as are 
connected with the testimony of truth, which 
is wounded by this affair ; but such have al- 
ways this encouragement,, that those who 
suffer for, and with, the testimony, are sup- 
ported inwardly by it, and in so much great- 
er degree as they are tender of it, and prefer 
it before the ties of blood, of natural affec- 
tion, or any other consideration. It looks 
to me as if this dispensation would be fruitful 
of refining baptism to you, and I heartily 



Wish that you may patiently abide the day (or 
say the night) of it,, and I believe you will 
find all work together for good. J>. T t beware 
of sinking too low in your minds. Iieep as 
attentive as possible to feel after splid comfort, 
and to bear the dictates of the small still voice, 
in following which there is safety.. Me- 
thinks the enemy will not be idle at this junc- 
ture, but be apt to whisper that things hav- 
ing gone amiss in your own family, ye are 
much disqualified from intermeddling in the 
families of others, and that ye are not now 
proper persons to stand forth in the cause o£ 
our discipline in the church. This is the 
whispering of satan ; he is a liar, and believe 
him not. Our children and every individual 
in our families have the same divine principle 
and sufficient grace as ourselves, and in our 
obedience to it consists our common preser- 
vation. If we be careful to live under its law, 
and thereby be good examples to them ; if 
seasoned by this, when fresh capacity is af- 
forded, we bring forth now and then such 
meat for our household as we have, though 
only fragments ; if we watch unto prayer for 
the blessing and protection of Providence. 
over them and us, what more is required, 
or what more can be done I When, after all. 



118 

those that are intimately connected with us 
by friendship or relationship, swerving frora 
the fear of God, and regard to the admonition 
of man, violate the law of a good conscience, 
and the rules established in the society, let 
ns impartially give our judgment with zeal 
against them, and know no man after the flesh* 
This is what will conduce to our cftvn peace 
and strength, disappoint the expectation of 
those who may watch over us for evil, and 
may be a means of awakening the party that 
has offended to ponder more deeply on the 
offence, and seek more earnestly a place of 
repentance and restoration. Though I write 
thus, I have no suspicion of any contrary con- 
duct in you, but believe you will act as those 
who are rensible that many eyes are over you, 
and particularly c^aat eye ?whieh penetrates 
into the deepen: recesses g^ cur hearts, and 
knows the most secret movements of our 
thoughts ; the eye of a God,, jealous indeed 
of his honour, yet full of compassion and 
merciful regard to his poor afflicted devoted 
children, and servants, who faithfully serve 
and submissively rely upon him. 



lit 



LETTER XL VII. 

1 2th Mo. 176S. 

I TKINK I have seen that thy heavenly- 
Father and Merciful Creator, hath been gra- 
ciously pleased to visit thee in thy dangerous 
stage of youth, and that his intention, if thou 
dost not frustrate it, is to do thee good, Su£- 
fer then, my dear friend, with humble resig- 
nation, the operation cf his purging power. 
Leave thyself in his hand, and east thy care 
cipon him. Be diligent above all things to 
feel after the stirrings. of a divine life in thy 
soul, and wait patiently for its tendering, 
cleansing baptisms. Oh, this diligent wait- 
ing and inward retiredne$s of spirit! this thou 
wilt find is the very source and supply of thy 
ability and capacity to hold out in a religious 
growth. This is what I most earnestly re- 
commend to thee as the great arid principal 
means of renewing thy strength. If thou 
rightly learnest this lesson of retirement, thou 
wilt soon be a ripe scholar in religion, and 
need not that any man teach thee, but as rhc 
holy anointing will teach thee in these seasons 
of waiting, and imbue thy mind with an under- 
standing of those things which belong to thy 



i2# 

only tree, present, and future everlasting peace. 
I am greatly mistaken if the good will of heaven 
is not towards thee in particular, and I hope 
to more of thy father's house. My sincere 
desire is that ye may be so wise«Jn heart, so 
true to your own best interest, as not to reject 
the offers of such .gracious favour and conde- 
scension, but thankfully embrace them as 
^our chiefest good, 

LETTER XLVIfff. 

2d Mo. 1767. 
DEAR cousins, ye are now joined toge- 
ther, I hope, by the ordering hand of Pro- 
vidence ; and are advanced a step higher into 
a more conspicuous station in life and Jbusi- 
ness. The author of every good and perfect 
gift has given to both of you a good share of 
natural capacity, and improved understand- 
ing; and ?he means, through frugality and 
industry, with his blessing, of procuring a 
comfortable subsistence. He has placed you 
in a great and populous city, where you pro- 
fess his holy and saving truth among a large 
number of others of the same profession, 
who do not honour it as they ought in their 
iives and cover&ations. Now, my dear cou- 



121 

sins, my mind is engaged for your temporal 
and eternal prosperity, and I see the path and 
the only one that leads infallibly to it; which 
is, by diligently and faithfully seeking to the 
Almighty benefactor for his preservation and 
blessing to be over and about you, and all 
that is under your hand. Strive not to be, 
nor to appear great, nor stretch your wings 
beyond the circumference of the nest which, in 
the ordering of all-wise Providence is allotted 
for you. Rather live under, and appear un- 
der your ability than over. You will experi- 
ence safety and quietness in it. The contrary 
is a temptation and a snare, and an inlet to 
dangers of various kinds; and often with new 
beginners lays the foundation of difficulties, 
straitness, and embarrassments, which they 
are sometimes never disencumbered of, until 
they are disencumbered of mortality : nor 
does the perplexity always end, here ; their 
poor bodies indeed rest in the earth, but the 
distresses of the parents are entailed upon 
the children ; and instead of aggrandizement 
of family, there is debasement ; instead of 
pomp there is penury ; and indigence instead 
of affluence. Let us take a little view (my 
dear friend) of the persons and families which 
4iave been up and down during our short tim£ 

h 



122 

of observation, let us contemplate them, not 
with an evil nor pitiless eye, but with an eye 
to the ways of that all-ruling power which 
resisteth the proud, but giveth his grace ad- 
ditionally to the humble. Let us centre down, 
and have our dwelling low in a conscious 
sense of our own unworthiness and insufficien- 
cy to direct our own steps, or to prosper either 
as to the things of this or a better life, with, 
out his blessed assistance and protection. Be 

truly humble, (my dear ) be frequent, 

and (as much as possible) constant, in feel- 
ing after a capacity to breathe in secret after 
an acquaintance and communion with the au- 
thor of all goodness. Be exemplary in your 
own conduct, conversation, and exterior ap- 
pearance and deportment, as becomes the 
disciples and professors of the religion esta- 
blished by him who was meek and low in 
heart, and whose garment was without seam. 
So will ye, in proportion to the purity of your 
intentions, and the cleanness of your hands 
in his sight, gain the favour and approbation 
of him who knows the heart, and hath all 
power in his hand to bless, or to blast at his 
pleasure. lam unusually concerned and de- 
sirous that thy conduct may be such, now 
in the setting off in life, as that the good will 



123 

of heaven may be to and upon it ; and if thou 
happily obtain this, it must certainly be by 
being ^.pattern of humility, steadiness and 
plainness, answer thy numerous acquaintance 
in that city. This r*»*y occasion some trials, 
in which it will often be proved whether thy 
attachment to the testimony of truth, or to 
the spirit of the world, is more prevalent. 
According to the free-will choice which thou 
wilt be enabled to make, will thy ability to 
proceed aright be strengthened or weakened, 
and finally the one side or the other get the 
victory. The day of small things and of 
little requirings of duty, proportioned to the 
state of the children, is bv no means to be 
despised. The cross to our own depraved 
w r ills is often to be borne, and many old 
friendships, connections, habits and propen- 
sities of an hurtful or unprofitable nature, 
will be dissolved or decay : in the room of 
which new desires and affections, new inti- 
macies and society will gradually be formed. 
But in all that he throws down, as well as in 
all he builds up, the Lord Almighty (as we 
rely upon him, and are faithful to his disco- 
veries) will be found to do every thing right, 
and for our good, every ixianner of way. 



124 



LETTER XLIX. 

vj J\Io. 1769. 

I HAVE thought <*f cliee with concern, 
knowing by experience the dangers that unex- 
perienced youth is liable to. The reins have 
been much left on thy own neck, to run on 
according to thy own pleasure. Thou hast 
girded thyself according to thy own likings 
and gone whither thou wouldest. And it is 
of the mercy of thy gr 4 eat Creator, if thou 
hast been preserved hitherto from falling intQ 
the enormities and corruptions, as I doubt 
thoyi hast stepped too much into the vanities 
and follies of the world and its spirit. How- 
ever, the past is irrevocable : I would hav$ 
thee make a stand now, and in the cool hour 
of sober reflection ask thyself, whether thou 
hast felt more solid satisfaction in the time of 
dissipation and libertinism, which has since 
elapsed, than in those seasons of the earlier 
part of thy youth, when thy heart was hum- 
bled within thee under a sense of thy own un- 
worthiness, and thy spirit tendered by the 
visits of divine grace : visits which were 
afforded thee by that same great Creator, in 
w r onderful condescention, that thy mind might 



125* 

be pre-engaged to love, fear and serve him r 
before the heated imagination and growing 
passions of more advanced youth, and thy 
designs and connections on the verge of man- 
hood, might warp thy conduct from the sim- 
plicity and safety which is in the blessed truth. 
Thou knowest best whether thou still enjoy est 
those tendering sensations of divine favour, 
or whether thou hast bartered this precious 
birth-right for foolish fleeting, empty gratifi- 
cations, which will stand thee in no stead in 
the day of trouble ; which tend only to 
estrange and set thee at a distance from thy 
Almightly Benefactor, who can bless or blast 
all thy endeavours ; and which preclude thee 
from that frequency of intercourse with thy 
best friends, by whose communion, and 
good counsel thou mightest be profited and 
helped every way* 

LETTER h. 

9th Mo. 1769. 

I NOTE what thou sayest of thy inward 
conflicts* I doubt not thy having commen- 
ced, and in a good degree successfully car- 
ried on that war, which must subsist (while 
we are in these bodies) between the flesh and 

l 2 



126 

spirit, from generation to generation. I wish 
we may be enabled still to carry it on, till all 
our enemies be subdued j the greatest being, I 
believe, (as thou observest) those of our 
own houses, or hearts. Let us ever bear in 
mind, that if we would effectually make w r ar 
in righteousness, our weapons must be spiri- 
tual, not carnal. That which is born of the 
flesh is only flesh; and the flesh profiteth not 
in this warfare. Hence I fear often arise these 
repeated conflicts and struggles, which leave 
lis weak, and do not help on the work ; 
when mixing with some certain company, or 
engaged in certain hurries and business, we 
are not watchful enough over our spirits, to 
possess (keep) these vessels in sanctificatioa 
and in that honour which adorns our high pro- 
fession, but suffer more or less defilement* 
And then again, when religious company, 
conversation, and affairs present, we feel our 
\rant and weakness, and in our own time and 
wills would be relieved and fain abound. 
Then the impatience of our spirits would set 
us to work, and tempt to force the (unaccept- 
able) sacrifice ; then we perhaps seek relief 
and help by complaining to, and conversing 
with, the approved servants ; who if they be 
wise in heart, are often shut up from such 



121 

a state, and find it their duty to keep their 
own to themselves. These voluntary striv- 
ings are of the flesh* or too much mixed with 
it, so cannot enter the kingdom, which is 
not to be taken by this kind of violence. But, 
dear friend, if we would steadily follow on 
to know the Lprd, if we would enjoy him 
to our solid, permanent comfort, and be wil- 
ling to be any thing,, ©r nothing in his hand, 
we must know great stripping and many 
humble baptisms j and if we passively and 
patiently abide under the refining, forming 
hand, we shall be dipped into many tribulat- 
ing dispensations* which in the course of 
their operation, will reduce us and our rati- 
onal powers as men (which are only apper- 
taining to us as being also flesh) exceeding 
low; so that our sight, with all our other 
spiritual senses, being purged and clear, we 
shall see that truly of ourselves we can do no- 
thing; we shall be more and more weaned from 
temporary aids* and more and more learn this 
lesson, to cease from man, even the best of 
men, and have our sole dependance on the 
Lord Almighty* who is the primary source 
and supply of every substantial good* 



123 



LETTER LI. 

1st Mo. 17T4. 
THOU livest in a place distant from the 
body of friends belonging to the monthlj 
meeting ; and art in more danger, from such 
a situation of being leavened with the spirit 
and manners of other people, who though 
they may be of irreproachable characters 
among men, yet are not brought up in a be* 
lief of, nor directed to feel after the quicken- 
ing virtue and operation of that saving grace 
in the heart, which is the only effectual pre- 
servative of men from the corruptions of the 
world. Thou pleadest for thy absence, that 
thou art married, hast a prospect of a growing 
family, must attend to a provision for it, and 
therefore that thou canst not come. I ac- 
knowledge that it is highly proper and com- 
mendable in thee to be diligent in thy outward 
business, and to provide by honest means 
for a decent livelihood. Many of us do 
the same, and yet knowing the uncertain 
tenure we have of all things here, and that it 
is the divine blessing* alone which gives the 
true relish to the enjoyment of them, we 
dare not be so ungreatful to our great bene- 



129 

factor, so disrespectful to our Lord and mas- 
ter, and so unfaithful to the common cause 
of our holy religion, as frequently to neglect 
the assembling of ourselves together, in or* 
der to wait for a capacity to perform accepta- 
ble worship to the Father of spirits, and to 
assist in conducting the discipline established 
in the society: and as thou wouldest desire 
that thou and thine should be partakers of 
those spiritual and temporal blessings which 
are in the Lord's hand to bestow, as well as 
others, why shouldest not thou as well a& 
others demonstrate thy love to him, and at- 
tachment to his cause, by an humble devo- 
tion of thy time and talents to the author of 
thy existence ? It is absurd to think, and he 
well deserves the appellation of fool who ima- 
gines that his secular affairs will succeed worse,, 
because leaving them settled in a prudent 
manner, he attends his religious duties as a 
member of Christian society.. Whose are the 
cattle on a thousand hills ? Whose is the earth 
and the fulness thereof? Who lent us for a 
short uncertain space these conveniences of 
life ? and, Who can take them from us, or u& 
from them, at his pleasure ? 

But it is reported, that thou art so far from 
joining with us in support of the hedge of 



ISO 

discipline which the Lord hath planted about 
us, that thou art for pulling it down : that 
so far from making a sacrifice of any little 
part of thy substance to the support of our 
testimony, thou art for sacrificing the testi- 
mony of truth to a little sordid gain : and in- 
stead of walking in the way of our worthy 
ancestors, that thou art, in the days of thy 
youth and prosperity, ready to trample on the 
testimony which they bore through many 
afflictions, and several of them sealed with 
the loss of their lives. I mean our testimony 
against the payment of tithes, or contributing 
actively to the support of an hireling ministry. 
It would exceed the ordinary limits of a letter, 
even to touch upon the numerous arguments 
which might be brought, both from right rea- 
son and holy scripture, against this antichri- 
stian yoke; therefore I refer thee for satis- 
faction in this point, to those writings on this 
subject which are common in the families of 
friends ; and at present would just caution 
thee not obstinately, after repeated advice to 
the contrary, to violate so material a branch 
of our Christian testimony, which cost our 
predecessors so dear ; because by persisting 
in the resolution which I am told thou h^st 
formed in this respect, thou wilt, in a great 



131 

measure, break the bond of fellowship with 
our religious society, and I believe it will 
not prosper with thee. 

LETTER LII. 

6th Mo. 1777. 
I NOTE thy desire to be acquainted with 
true religion, and that thou hast read books, 
and cultivated acquaintance with such as 
might be likely to instruct thee in it. Indeed 
the generality of people bestow very little solid 
thought about religious matters ; and if any 
should be more inquisitive than ordinary, con- 
eerning the way of life and salvation, they are 
branded often with the names of Quakers, 
Methodists, Fanatics, or Enthusiasts. How- 
ever, ridicule is by no means the test of truth, 
and right and wrong remain irreconcilable 
things ; the former is worth all the pains of - 
our deep search, and investigation, the latter 
it concerns us to avoid with the most cautious 
circumspection. It certainly is not consist- 
ent with the nobility and excellence of a ra- 
tional mind, to adopt the most important 
principles connected with our everlasting in- 
terest merely upon trust, and by tradition ; 
the religion of our education while we were 



133 

•children, should be the religion of our feel- 
ings and of our judgment when we arrive at 
maturity of understanding, or it should bs 
changed for that which is so. Nor is such a 
change in any degree degrading to the party 
that makes it, when it is done purely from 
conscientious motives : on the contrary, it is 
rational and laudable, and has the sanction of 
apostolical precept, " Prove all things : hold 
fast that which is good*" But a change of 
religious profession, barely, will stand us in 
little stead : the unregenerate man or woman 
must witness a change of nature, w^hich is a 
change from nominal to real religion, from 
shadow to substance, from the name to the 
thing: and in effecting this, true Christianity is 
learned by experience* and by experience we 
know and feel the meaning of the terms, and 
the efficacy of the means employed in this 
great mystery. People may talk about regene*- 
ration, faith, baptism, sanctification, justifica- 
tion, &c. and may reason concerning the pro- 
gress of the work of religion in the soul but if, 
they do not know and feel it going on in them- 
selves, they are no more benefited by their head 
knowledge, than the man who is languishing 
for want of food, is strengthened by talking 
Of eating. We are to receive these things 



133 

as little children, waiting in the simplicity of 
our hearts, and abstractedness of thought, to 
be fed by the Divine Hand, with food conve- 
nient for us. If we trust in the Lord with 
all our hearts, and lean not to our own under- 
standing, he will lead us on gradually, feed us 
according to our growth, and inform our un- 
derstanding in the things of his kingdom, as 
we shall be able to bear or comprehend them. 
I wish thee, dear friend, to be still in thy mind, 
to guard against restlessness and impatience, 
to employ thyself quietly and cheerfully in thy 
outward occupation (which will help to prune 
away a redundance of unprofitable thoughts,) 
and to bediligentin waiting for and feeling after 
that spring of comfort in thy own mind, which 
is not under thy controul, nor at thy com- 
mand, nor can be come at by the working of 
any artificial tool of our imagination ; but 
which the great master sends in his own time 
" To revive the spirit of the humble, and to 
revive the heart of the contrite ones." 



LETTER LIIL 

12th Mo. 1780. 

A PERSONAL interview is pleasing, when 
it can be enjoyed in a degree of calmness and 

M 



tS4 

quiet : but as many things combine to prevent 
that, I wish us to meet often in spirit — M Ab- 
sent in body, yet present in spirit. " In this, my 
first acquaintance and fellowship with thee 
was formed, before I personally knew thee : 
in this it has been renewed and confirmed. 

I travail for you, dear children, that Christ 
may be formed in you, that ye may be com- 
plete in him, lacking nothing. The cry of my 
heart for you has repeatedly been, that the 
Lord would make you such as he would have 
you to be. If left to ourselves, and to model 
ourselves and our demeanour according to pat- 
terns which in our own judgment we may set 
down as most excellent and worthy of imita- 
tion, our inward man will be apt to grow fee- 
ble and distorted, and its constitution sickly 
and unsound : but leaving ourselves to the 
Lord Almighty to create in us a clean heart, 
arid renew a right spirit within us, diligently 
waiting in nothingness of self, out of our own 
witlings and strivings, for the descending of 
the power of truth to contrite and baptize our 
spirits, we shall witness a being melted down 
and moulded anew into whatever utensil, form 
and size, the maker pleases. Here is the 
great matter on our parts, even to be passive 
in the Divine hand, as clay in the hand of 



135 

the potter. The mixture of oar own imagi- 
nations is what we are carefully to watch 
against, being the thing which mars the per- 
fection and sullies the beauty of the Lord's 
work. All that he makes is unmixedly good ; 
so the more simply andunreservedly we submit 
ourselves to be prepared and fashioned by him, 
the more of that unmixed good, will be in our 
spiritual composition, and the nearer we shall 
approach to the highest perfection of our na- 
tures, the fulfilling the precept of Christ, " Be 
ye therefore perfect, even as your Father who 
is in heaven is perfect. " 

LETTER LIV. 

12th Mo. 1781, 

I LIKE that young men should avow their 
.principles, and range themselves on the right 
side. I like that they should engage in such 
acts as will shew they are not in alliance 
with the enemies of God's true Israel. There 
must and will be enmity between the two 
seeds. 

My spirit has waded in the deeps many a 
time, in travail for the visited youth, that not 
one grain of the heavenly seed might be lost, 
nor unfruitful; and now my cry is, that they 



136 

may " Go forward." They have many of 
them been tied up from the further sallies of 
their own wild nature ; they have known the 
discipline of the cross ; and now the Master 
hath need of them, (alluding to the passage 
in Mat. 21st chap.) he calls for their service 
in the church. Indeed they can never serve a 
better master — his service dignifies the mean- 
est talents ; and the brightest, if they tend 
not to promote it, are but meanly employed. 
This world, its bustle, its pursuits, and its 
highest glory, will soon be over to everyone 
that is at present in it. Then the answer of 
" Well done ! good and faithful servant, " 
will be a more joyful sound, a more substan- 
tial reward, than all the favour and friendship, 
false praise and honour, which this life can 
bestow, 

LETTER LV. 

3d ]\!o. 1783. 
SHE is now released from these long in- 
firmities which infinite wisdom permitted her 
to pass through; for the trial of her faith and 
patience, and for her preparation for an ad- 
mittance into that rest, into which nothing 
impure can enter. Refined and polished 



3 / 



while here for the company of blessed spirit5 T 
she is (I doubt not) mingled in their happy 
society. We remain a little longer to strug- 
gle with the difficulties, and encounter 
the temptations, which belong to this life. 
We are not yet putting off our harness, there- 
fore have no reason to boast, but to dwell in 
awful fear. We are some of us the heads of 
families, and principal persons in our places: 
our precepts and our example therefore must 
have considerable weight and influence. — 
How necessary is it for us then to ask wisdom 
of him, who giveth liberally and upbraidetli 
not ; that by rightly fulfilling all our several 
duties in our families and in the church, we 
we may y as we pass along in our journey, 
have the answer in our consciences of " Well 
done ! good and faithful servant, enter thou 
into the joy of thy Lord," as well as that 
happy sentence at the close of this visible 



scene ? 



My mind, while I am thus engaged, is tur- 
ned with tender solicitude towards thy be* 
loved offspring. I believe that many of them 
(and most probably all of them) have felt the 
gentle touches of the Divine Hand, and the 
invitations of the good spirit in the secret of 
their souls, drawing them from the spirit of 

K 2 



138 

the world, in its manifold appearances, and 
begetting in them desires and aspirations af- 
ter enduring substance. May they with all 
diligence cultivate the renewal of these ten- 
dering impressions, and in all humility sub- 
mit to the operation of these pleansing bap- 
tisms, which purify the heart, and make it a 
fit receptacle for unmixed good. A gracious 
Providence has not been wanting in his visi- 
tations to the youth amongst us ; but there 
has been a great want in them of following 
on to know the Lord in the renewed experi- 
ence of his humbling power, and in the fur- 
ther manifestations of his will concerning 
them;- — hence the' goodness of too many of 
them is but like the morning cloud and early 
dew ; it is soon superceded by a relish for 
the pomps and vanities of this world, and 
their baptismal vows are soon forgotten ; and 
hence a want of succession of testimony bear- 
ers to the noblest cause, which ever did, or 
ever Will; dignify human nature. I particu- 
larly wish for the elder branches of thy nu- 
merous hopeful stock, as now a greater charge 
devolves upon them, that they may seek and 
wait for heavenly wisdom to direct their own 
steps, and influence every part of their con- 
duct; that so the}- may grow in favour with their 



159 

great Creator, and in his hand be made a 
blessing to the younger branches of the family, 
assisting to train them up, by example and 
precept, in the life of religion, and in that 
plainness and simplicity which adorn our holy 
profession. 

LETTER LVI. 

2d Mo. 1784. 

I HAVE repeatedly heard of thy appear- 
ances in a few words in publick and private 
opportunities, and no doubt, in diffidence 
and fear. I need not tell thee that it is a great 
and solemn office to be an ambassador between 
God and the people. I am persuaded that 
thou art sensible of it, and that it is the sin- 
cere desire of thy heart to be found in the 
way of thy duty. In thy infant state thou- 
wilt very probably have many doubts, questi- 
onings and reasonings : but as the eye is kept 
single to the one object, the faithful discharge 
of duty, the whole inward man, will be full of 
light — enlightened and enabled to walk in the 
right path, and if fears and jealousies of self 
should arise, they are not to be fought against 
in the will of the creature; but words and 
actions are to be brought to the light of Christ,. 



140 

that they may be there tried whether thcrf 
have been wrought and spoken in God, i. c. 
whether they have the seal of his spirit. 
Where self is sufficiently abased, and only to 
will and to do of the Master's good pleasure is 
the dominant principle, there is not much dan- 
ger of an honest mind being long under a de- 
ception. The feeling of one's own mind, and 
the concurrent testimony of the living, will, 
likethemouthof two witnesses, establish every 
word : and though for wise purposes there 
may be for a season, as it were, a chaos , 
and a void, and darkness upon the face of the 
deep ; yet as the operation of the spirit of 
truth in thy soul is diligently waited for, and 
the turning of his holy hand is patiently borne 
and submitted to, he will (I trust) in his own 
time, " Bring forth thy righteousness as the 
light, and thy judgment as the noon-day." 

LETTER LVIL 

9th Mo. 178 -4. 

IT was very pleasing to hear that it proved 
consistent with the Divine will to lengthen 
out thy short span, to add a few days more 
to thy pilgrimage. To those engaged m the 
same warfare it is a matter of gladness and 



141 

strength to have their companions continued 
lothem. — Thou knowest what this world is; 
a place of danger, temptation and perplexity ; 
a place where we exceedingly want Almighty 
help, protection and direction ; we want the 
fear of the Lord to be ever before our eyes, 
that we may be solid, weighty, steady in the 
face of our families, and our connections and 
familiar acquaintance ; we greatly want wis- 
dom, fresh and fresh for every occasion, that 
we may fill up our stations in the church with 
propriety and acceptance. This is a great 
family, in which are many servants allotted 
to many different offices ; various work is to 
be done, and great care is to be taken by 
every particular servant, that he diligently 
minds his own business, and does not over 
officiously meddle with that of another ; and 
in order that confusion may be prevented, and 
the Head of the family may not be dishonour- 
ed, some servants, more intimately acquainted 
with the Master's will and with the order of 
the house, hold a diligent watch, not only 
over themselves but their fellow servants ; for 
good, exhorting, reproving, informing, re- 
minding, and all with pure disinterested zeal, 
seeking not themselves, their own honour 
and precidence, but the honour of the great 



142 



master, and the welfare and happiness of every 
individual in the family. 'Tisto this service 
that I want thee, my dear friend, (if Provi- 
dence should be pleased to grant a renovation 
of health) to be still more dedicated. There 
is a want of baptized elders among us ; such 
as have been companions with Christ in his 
sufferings among us, and by us his chosen 
people. Thou seest what a host of messen- 
gers is sent, even from far distant parts of the 
earth, to awaken us to righteousness and 

amendment of life. May we, the objects 

of their visits and of condescending favour, be 
willing, yea desirous to go yet deeper down 
into the sacred pool, there to be washed from 
every defilement of spirit, as well as of flesh; 
that so, being happily reduced to the little 
child's state, we may lose " the wise and 
and prudent," in the reduction of self, and 
be in a state fit to receive the glorious myste- 
ries of the kingdom, " revealed unto babes," 
in Christ. 



LETTER LVIII. 

8th Mo. 1791. 

THOU knowest upon what grounds, con- 
victions and feelings thou earnest, at the first. 



143 

t6 profess the truth ; thou knowcst what it 
hath since clone for thee, how thou hast 
espoused it, and with what company thou hast 
on various occasions been engaged in the pro- 
motion of it: and I doubt not thou still be- 
lievest it to be the most inestimable treasure, 
which the heart of man is capable of enjoy- 
ing. Be honest with thyself, as I hope, my 
dear friend, thou wilt be, and try whether 
thou hast not suffered loss; whether for some 
time past there has not been a decay, instead 
of an increase, of divine virtue in thy soul ; 
and whether thy ability for service in religi- 
ous society has not been greatly weakened, 
if not entirely lost. This perhaps thy candour 
and integrity will acknowledge; but self, that 
partial, pernicious counsellor, self, will pro- 
l^ably plead that loss indeed hath been sustain- 
ed, but that the fault is not all thy own : that 
thou hast met with hard usage, improper 
treatment, and an unchristian spirit, in deal- 
ing, from thy brethren ; and that though thou 
mayest be, in some measure, wrong, it is 
evident that they nre not altogether right. 
This reasoning leads to a self-complacence, 
and retorting ; which will only bewilder and 
aggravate. I would therefore, in true good- 
will, and cordial desires for thy restoration 



144 

and help, recommend thee, dear friend, as 
much as possible, to turn out this reasoner, 
this interested, prejudiced counsellor, self; 
to look unto Jesus, the author of thy faith ; to 
lay prostrate as at his feet ; to bear his chas- 
tisements ; and not only bear, but with all 
thy heart to desire them, as being the stripes, 
by which thou art to be healed : nay farther, 
submit thyself with a dutiful, filial submission 
to thy mother the church, though some of her 
children may seem not in the spirit of meek- 
ness, but angry with thee ; be not thou 
moved to retaliate, but remember the pattern 
which the great Master set us ; as saith the 
apostle, " For even hereunto were ye called, 
" because Christ also suffered for us, leaving 
" us an example, that ye should follow his 
J_f steps; who did no sin, neither was guile 
" found in his mouth: who, when he was 
" reviled, reviled not again; when he suffer- 
" ed, he threatened not ; but committed 
Xi himself to him that judgeth righteously. " 
How much more then should his followers 
mid disciples, when they have been overta- 
ken in a fault, confess their frailty, humble 
themselves, and make 'restitution, and satis- 
faction, and reparation, as far as in their 
power ? We have seen the danger of persist- 



145 

ing in a line of conduct contrary to the general 
sense of the brethren, and of being pertina- 
cious in our own opinions ; how it lowers in 
esteem, and lays waste the service of those 
who were gifted and honourable men. I con- 
fess I am afraid lest the enemy of all good 
should make use of thy present situation and 
circumstances, as an engine to batter down 
any wall of stability and security that is left 
about thee, aad wreak his infernal malice 
upon thee ; for U Hell and destruction are ne- 
ver full. " O, mayest thou with full purpose of 
heart turn to him, who graciously visited thee 
in early youth, who gave thee a name and in- 
heritance among his people, and who, if the 
fault be not thy own, will demonstrate that 
his promises are not yea and nay, but yea 
and Amen, and that his mercy endureth for 
ever. 



LETTER LIX. 

5th Mo. 1786. 

THE national meeting was, I hope, owned 
in degree in the several sittings of it ; my 
poor spirit was favoured with being brought 
low, and plunged into the deeps, a state I love, 
because I love cleanliness ; and I desire no 

N 



148 

other state, nor an}' other support or food, 
than what Infinite Wisdom sees fit to admi- 
nister to me ; he knows cur several frames and 
textures, and what is necessary and best for 
us : he is the wise potter, who knows when 
and how to use the fire and water, to harden, 
to soften, and to let the vessel stand in a pre- 
paring state for the appointed time : he is the 
wise householder, who at his pleasure occu- 
pies the vessel when prepared ; yet even then, 
when he takes it down, cleanses it afresh for 
use* May we, in every stage of the opera- 
tion of his plastick hand, be submissive, con- 
tent to remain as on our mouths, turned up- 
side down, or standing as on the shelf unoc- 
cupied, as well as using all diligence of spirit 
to be in a state of readiness for any little use, 
which perhaps the Master may suddenly re- 
quire ! His tried, experienced, faithful ser- 
vants w T ith one voice declare that he is the 
best of masters : and I am sure this life seems 
a poor, insipid, paltry round of care and cum- 
ber, vanity and folly, unless it be sweetened, 
animated and renewed by the spirit of Chris- 
tianity entering into and among our feelings : 
so, my beloved, go on and prosper in thy own 
little way, attentive to please the husband of 
souls, learning of him at home, simply and 



147 

honestly doing whatever he bids thee ; not 
too much looking out and musing on what 
this or the other body will say or think, but 
cultivating retiredness of spirit, and attending 
to the gift which is in thee ; so be it, 

LETTER LX. 

10th Mo. 1786. 

SUCH is the excellent nature of this holy 
power, that the more the gift is exercised 
(under a lively influence) the brighter it 
shines, the stronger it grows, and the more 
the precious anointing accompanies it. But 
unfaithfulness, disobedience, spiritual indo- 
lence, will always gradually work its decay; 
and then uncomfortableness, unpleasantness, 
uneasiness, and indeed unhappiness, crowd in 
from all quarters, from within and from with- 
out ; a host of foes, and our best friend and 
ally alienated from us. So, my dear friend, 
let thou and I go on quietly and softly, and 
feelingly, in our own little line of life ; if we 
get any little good for ourselves, let us hus- 
band it carefully, the times are poor ; but if 
there seems a redundance, let it flow, nor 
fear to waste the ointment ; and indeed if 
there should be no super-abundance for our* 



148 

selves, if a famine should be in our land, yet 
should we be glad to handle the holy things, 
and of being favoured to distribute to others : 
for so doing, we shall certainly get enough 
to keen life and soul together, and as the 
times go, we may be very well satisfied with 
this, " Thou shalt not muzzle the ox which 
trcadeth out the corn. 53 



LETTER LXI, 

1st Mo. 1788. 

LAST night we received thine, of the day 
preceding, with an account of the final issue 
of your anxieties respecting your beloved in- 
fant, and it is the last and worst to be expect- 
ed concerning her: no painful fears about 
her future conduct ; no danger of her enter* 
ing into temptation of the enemy : no corrup- 
tion of the heart, nor any internal defilement 
to annoy or destroy ; no cares, conflicts, and 
embarrassments of this world to vex and per- 
plex her, no more pain and sorrow of body and 
mind, but an admittance into that kingdom 
which is composed of such ; into one of those 
mansions prepared by the Father for innocent 
and sanctified spirits, which, for ever happy 
in a new state of existence, are doubtless glo- 



149 

rifled by, and arc employed in glorifying for 
ever, the glorious Author of their being. 
Well will it be for us if we can but go to 
them. In order to which attainment, we 
that are continued on this stage, have a sharp 
and constant warfare to maintain, not only 
with flesh and blood, and that which is inhe- 
rent in them, but some of us are called to 
grapple with and encounter spiritual wicked- 
ness in ourselves and in others - r we have an 
arduous fight to maintain, and great care, 
caution, and diligence to exercise ; else, in- 
stead of overcoming, we may be overcome of 
evil, and even near the end of the race, may 
fall and lose the prize. My beloved, thou 
hast received a gift for the edification of thy 
brethren and sisters ; do not despise it nor 
the occupation of it, but diligently wait on 
thy gift, and exercise it in the simplicity ac- 
cording to the ability received ; so wilt thou 
not only grow therein, but grow in favour 
with the great Master and with his faithful 
servants : thou wilt find that humility, fidelity 
and obedience will make way for thee in the 
hearts of the people, and make room for ex- 
tensive service, to the increase of thy peace 
and tranquillity. Then, when cross occur- 
rences fall out, and external trials beset, these 

n 2 



150 

things will be received with equanimity and 
patience; " Shall we receive good at the hand 
" of God, and shall we not receive evil?" 
But, on the contrary, where there is a desire 
to save self and its honour, a reluctance to 
expose one's self and become vile ; or a dis- 
qualification for service, of our own bringing 
on; then we are not only uncomfortable in 
ourselves, retard our own growth, accumu- 
late weakness, but when disagreeable events 
are permitted to befal us, they appear to us 
clothed with terror, and ministers of divine 
wrath. In this view, I contemplated with 
satisfaction the account which I had of thy 
faithfulness in your late province women's 
meeting ; had thou returned home under the 
load of conscious disobedience, what an ag- 
gravation would it have been to thy severe 
trial ! But I trust a placid serenity is the 
covering of thy spirit, and that thou hast 
blessed, and wilt be enabled often to bless, 
that hand which mercifully giveth, and as 
mercifully and wisely taketh away, at his plea- 
sure. 



151 



LETTER LXII. 

llth Mo. 1788, 

INDEED my heart has been made glad in 
the house of prayer, on behalf of the visited 
youth of this generation ; the desire and peti- 
tion of my soul has been, that nothing might 
be permitted to hurt them, nor to mar the 
work of formation in and upon them ; but 
that they may go forward and increase in the 
excellency of dignity and the excellency of 
power ; that so by and through them, under 
divine protection and direction, the conti- 
nued backsliding of a degenerate people may, 
in a good measure, be stopped, and the 
Lord may be graciously pleased to return to 
the many thousands of Israel. 

LETTER LXIII. 

7th Mo, 1790, 

I HAVE indeed abundant cause of thank- 
fulness to our Almighty Benefactor, for his 
gracious protection still extended, and his 
safe conduct of a poor and helpless creature 
home to my family and friends. I have also 
humbly to acknowledge the daily supplies 



152 

everyway afforded, u Profitable to me for 
" doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for 
" instruction in righteousness." Thus the 
rod and the staff, administered in wisdom^ 
alternately rectify and regulate, assist and 
comfort; and so poor pilgrims move along 
under repeated convictions of their own in- 
firmities and insufficiency, and under a re- 
newed experience of continued mercy and 
divine aid. The yearly meeting of London 
seems like a home, or habitation to my spirit; 
I am dipped (I trust) in some degree into the 
state of the Christian cause, and engaged in 
a travail, and secret, silent wrestling, for a 
blessing on the endeavours of the faithful in 
this day for the promotion of it* This I look 
upon as my principal business there, though 
a good deal of other matter relative to church 
affairs, falls to my lot besides, and calls, 
for diligent exertion of my best abilities* 
Upon the whole, I do hope thrs most impor~ 
tant cause gains ground, and that though 
there still remain $ some old, fruitless, sapless 
trees in the wood, and many towering lofty 
cedars in our Lebanon, yet a great number 
of promising young plants, hopeful saplings, 
have taken root downwards, and are shooting 
vigorously upwards. Much depends on their 



153 

preservation from any annoyance on their up- 
right growth, and bearing each their own 
kind of fruit in due season. 



LETTER LXIV. 

llth Mo. 1790. 
IT is often easier to give advice than to 
take it: it is easy to recommend resignation, 
but when the trial comes home to us, and the 
exquisitely tender feelings of nature are affect- 
ed, then to say with the heart, " Thy will 
" be done!" is to overcome indeed. And 
yet such a victory over humanity may be gain- 
ed, and is. often gained, by the Lord's chil- 
dren in their pilgrimage through this life, and 
being strengthened by his love and by his 
power, they can in all humility and gratitude 
kiss the rod which chastises them, and 
bless the hand which, in perfect, through 
unsearchable wisdom, both gives and takes 
away. Our sympathy with thee, my dear 
friend, is strong, and our hope (I trust) is 
not of the hypocrite, which perisheth ; our 
hope is, that thou wilt in the Lord's time be 
raised out of these glooms and pits of distress; 
and having been made a witness of deliver- 
ance out 'of the depths of tribulation, and as 



154 

it were the belly of hell, wilt have experi- 
mentally to testify to the sufficiency of that 
arm of everlasting power, which could deli- 
ver in such sort, as to encourage other tra- 
vellers in like tribulated paths to hold on their 
way. 

LETTER LXV. 

3d Mo. 1791. 
PEOPLE may talk of the weight and in- 
fluence and respectability of old age ; but if 
younger persons do not go forth in the service, 
and exert themselves, the cause will suffer. 
I am not for dragging thee, my dear friend, 
from thy domestic concerns, which are vari- 
ous and important ; but if truth gently draws 
thee, and whispers that a duty is to be done, I 
would have thee follow its leadings and secret 
monitions. He that made is all-sufficient to 
preserve ; the kine indeed must be allowed 
to low as they go ; the natural part to regret 
the parting with the inexpressibly tender con- 
nections left at home : but the ark of the 
testimony must be taken out of the land of 
the Philistines, out of the hands of the un- 
circumcised ; and blessed will they be with 
whom it resteth. 



155 



LETTER LXVI. 

6th Mo. 1791. 

THE yearly meeting was large and so- 
lemn : and I hope that it was renewedly felt 
and experienced, that, notwithstanding la- 
mentable declension and dimness may be ac- 
knowledged, our religious society is still 
owned the chosen people, among whom the 
lively oracles are deposited, the gifts and 
graces of the spirit are bestowed, and the 
principles of pure and genuine Christianity 
are professed. Declamatory speeches in the 
yearly meeting I think gradually decrease. I 
wish I could say that I think there is much 
increase of the authority and weight which 
ought to accompany the offerings of the tribes, 
rulers and princes of the people. But I 
trust things will mend : a younger sort will 
come forward, who being of clean hands 
will grow stronger and stronger, who having 
washed their hands in innocence, will com- 
pass the Lord's altar with acceptance, and 
who, being themselves consecrated by the 
divine anointing, will be rightly authorised and 
influenced to meddle with holy consecrated 
things. 



156 

Thou knowest that thy poor friend's chief 
joy is, to see that the children of the Elect 
Lady walk in the truth. Thou hast received 
an heavenly gift, let it be of whatever denomi- 
nation it may ; what matters the name of it ? 
Attend upon it ; prize it; it is the wisdom, 
which is more precious than rubies ; exercise 
it when the great Master bids, when he comes, 
calls for thee, singles thee out, and puts 
thee forth in any little service ; this is the 
way for the waters of this life's afflictions to 
be changed into the wine of the kingdom, and 
for the sorrows and perplexities of this world 
to be turned into heavenly joy. Nothing 
short of hearkened and obeying will do ) but 
this will do all for thee, and more than thou 
sanst ask or think. 



LETTER LXVIL 

8th Mo. 1791. 

THIS life is the field of battle, and our 
most dangerous enemies are those of our own 
houses. May the lamp of God in the temple 
of our hearts, be kept still renewed and re- 
plenished with heavenly oil, that we may have 
a clear sight of what is doing within us, lest 
we should think otherwise of ourselves than 



157 

we really are. Purity of heart is a main qua- 
lification for being of any service in the church 
1 of Christ. Let us then use all diligence to 
obtain and to retain this precious state. 
** Blessed are the poor in heart, for they shall 
see God ; " they shall clearly discern the things 
which belong to his kingdom; and when 
they speak of them, it will be of what they 
have seen with their (spiritual) eyes, and 
what they have " Looked upon ;" what has 
been brought by the holy spirit before their in- 
ternal view, as an object of contemplation for 
themselves, and a subject which they are au- 
thorised to handle with clean hands, and wiilf 
hallow r ed lips to communicate to others, 

LETTER LXVIIL 

llth Mo. IT9I, 

I LOVE to see business, the Lord's busi- 
ness, going forward, and the youth stepping 
into their lots, experimental witnesses of the 
power of an endless life, fresh, feeling, and 
foil of good matter, loving their Master, and 
willing to give that proof of it, which he pe- 
culiarly requires, that is, to feed his lambs 
and his sheep. A little longer time, and we 
Are numbered to the silent grave* in common 

6 



158 

with all the generations which have been be- 
fore us : let us then, while we are here, seek 
for help to do our duty acceptably in the sight 
of our great Judge ; that so at the awful day 
of decision, our spirits, disrobed of this 
mortal clothing, may hear the blessed sen- 
tence with unspeakable joy, and be mercifully 
separated to eternal felicity. 

LETTER LXIX. 

7th Mo. 1792. 

I THINK it a pity that he should be so 
much confined, but perhaps it may be best ; 
some confinement causes us to enjoy liberty 
with a keener relish, to prize it more highly, 
and to be more greatful for it, as well as to 
endeavour to turn it to the best advantage. 
Time and opportunity are precious things, 
but very unstable and fleeting, and should 
be diligently improved, I suppose thou art 
now confined at home, and not at the general 
assemblv at Limerick. Yet of so excellent 
a nature is the holy principle which w r e pro- 
fess as the main spring of our religious move- 
ments, that distance does not always disunite; 
there may be a great travail, union and com- 
munion of spirit, where there is a bodily se- 



159 



paration. " He that is joined in spirit to the 
M Lord, is joined to all the living. 5 ' 

LETTER LXX. 

2d Mo. 17th, 1791. 

ON my return from 1 was suluted 

with thy kind epistle. It was, and . is, 
very greatful to me, and I shall esteem 
it a favour to be thought worthy of the 
continued fruits of thy friendship and little 
leisure. There are many cross occurrences 
which disquiet the mind, and if Divine Pro- 
vidence should, on the other hand, cast up 
some fresh means of consolation and refresh- 
ment, why should not we avail ourselves of 
his bounty? A new correspondence, like a 
new well opened in the course of pilgrimage 
and dry travel, may, under the blessing, and 
" By the direction of the Law-giver," prove 
comfortable and strengthening for the jour- 
ney. I often think of thee, and my cogita- 
tions about thee are attended with sympathy 
and compassion ; my mind's eye views thee 
in the valley of affliction ; be not restless, 
but remain there the appointed time, and the 
Lord is able to make this " Vallev of Achor 
44 (which is trouble) a door of hope." He 



160 



£an cause the ground of this same affliction 
to be productive of the most salutary increase, 
so that not only " Shaeron shall be a fold of 
" Hocks/' but even, " The valley of Achor, 
" a place for herds to lie down in ;" but this 
happy experience is for " My people that 
" have sought me," saith the Lord, May- 
est thou be strengthened then continually 
to seek the Lord, who in inscrutable wisdom 
orders or permits the close trials which some- 
times beset us. I know nothing we can do 
more likely to benefit ourselves, and those 
whose welfare is nearest our hearts, than to 
keep diligently to an holy travail and wrestling 
of spirit on our own and their behalf. Our 
ovjn prudence and policy often fail, and thq 
influence of nature itself loses its sway, where 
it has all right to rule and govern ; but even 
the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, 
as "• The rivers of waters he turneth it whi- 
" thersoever he will." I was pleased to hear 
thou wast out on church service. I am per- 
suaded that no worldly business detains thee 
at home with the consent of thy will ; and I 
doubt not but it is (as it certainly ought to be) 
thy studious endeavour to get thy head, hands 
and feet (as I believe thy heart is already) 
loose, and become more and more the Lord's 






freeman, Remember the call, " Shake thy- 
" self (not only from the grosser and more 
u defiling part, but) from the dust, O, Je- 
" rusalem;" and loose thyself " From the 
u bands of thy neck, O, captive daughter of 
" Zion :" then will there be a putting on 
strength and the beautiful garments ; then 
will there be a receiving the gift in perfection, 
and exercising it to the honour of the Giver, 
as well as to consequent sweetness and peace ; 
then precious virtue is known to go forth 
from the Holy One, as through the vehicle of 
a refined and purified spirit, to others ; and 
there is a rejoicing together in the great Mas- 
ter's name. Thus wilt thou more and more 
rise in the dominion of Truth, and get, in 
thy mind, over all those things which would 
agitate, and annoy, and turn aside from the 
proper centre. Thus, however useful thou 
mayest have been in civil and religious life, 
thy last days will, by the increase of living 
sap, be thy best days ; thy end will be hap- 
py, and thy example live in sweet memorial 
among future generations. So be it ! saith. 
thy truly affectionate faithful friend. 

Thy letter seemed ta congratulate us on the 

return of our dear friend — ; but see 

what a state of existence we are in, how 

o 2 



162 

transient and uncertain. She just got to our 
national meeting to deliver up her certificate, 
gave a short simple account of their visit to 
the continent, spoke as if herself had been 
nothing and had done nothing, magnified her 
Master's cause in several sittings of the 
meeting ; went to her own home, and salut- 
ed her relations and friends there ; proceeded 
to the quarterly meeting to which she belong- 
ed, at Cork, laboured there in the authority 
of the gospel, and when it was over, laid 
down her head in peace at our friend Samuel 
Neale's house, at Spring Mount, 8th of 12th 
mo. last. Her loss, as a member both of 
civil and religious society, is very much re- 
gretted : but encomiums are superfluous. — - 
If we revere her character, let us endeavour 
to follow her example ; if we are attached to 
the cause which she was so eminently engag- 
ed in, let us wait for qualifications to support 
it, according to our several measures and 

stations. 

hears now and then from the neighs 

bouring continent, and favours us with some 
account. We understand the precious seed 
sown there does not seem to be lost ; we ra- 
ther hope that it has taken root and is spring- 
ing up : perhaps "■ The earth is helping the 



US 

woman:" the convulsions and revoluti- 
ons in that country forwarding the establish- 
ment of the church of Christ* 

I am now I see got near the end of my pa- 
per, and I feel my love to you all abound and 
spread ; but have not left myself room to 

write it down : amongst others (if still on 

this side heaven) possesses my affectionate re- 
membrance* 



LETTER LXXL 

9th Mo. 4th, 179L 

REMEMBERING that I was in thy 
epistolary debt, believe I should have writ- 
ten to thee of my being favoured to get 
well home, &c, but having been longer 

in debt to thy sister 1 thought best to pay 

off that score, and hope she communicated 
any intelligence that was worth imparting 
to thee. I hope also, that the event of a per- 
sonal interview is no interruption, but rather 
a cement of our correspondence, I have just 
been re-perusing thy last kind letter with re- 
newed satisfaction, and wish to be preserved 
in such a humble state as to keep the unity 
and much valued amity of such friends :, in- 
deed much depends on being preserved in this 



164 

state, so characteristic of the great Master. 
A departure from it has proved the ruin of 
thousands ; and by how much more useful 
and conspicuous any become in the church, 
so much more conspicuous should this spirit 
appear in them. 

This spirit, if kept to, will work wonders : 
it is the well watered, well dug and well cul- 
tivated soil, in which the Christian virtues 
grow and flourish. Alas ! for many in our poor 
society, they have chosen the barren moun- 
tains; a dry and parched soil; their roots 
have struck into a hard stiff clay, and they 
bear neither leaves nor fruit. But the great 
Husbandman is not unmindful of his planta- 
tion, he is sending skilful labourers into it; and 
not only so, but by his own immediate pow- 
er he has reached divers, arrested them in 
their retrograde, way wardcourse, and brought 
them into the way everlasting. So that (ac- 
cording to my sense) there is encouragement 
for the faithful devoted servants to persevere; 
doing each his own business, and that part of 
the general labour which is assigned him. 
Some individuals may be sent on particular 
expeditions and services ; but the discipline 
of the church is a general field of labour, in 



165 

which no living member is exempt from * 
share, 

For my part ever since I became, in some 
measure, acquainted with the Truth, and 
mercifully arrived at some settlement in it, 
my relative duties in religious society and the 
share in the support of discipline, which I ap- 
prehended fell to my lot, have been among 
the capital weights and burthens, and exer- 
cises, and distresses, of my life. As our 
inward frames differ one from another, so 
these things are harder to some dispositions 
than others* They have been particularly so 
to me ; so that I could say with Job, " The 
" things that my soul refused to touch are as 
M my sorrowful meat." But I have lived 
to see a termination of many of these con- 
flicts ; I have lived to see captivity led cap- 
tive; rebellious children become loyal sub- 
jects; and the opposers of truth triumphantly 
bearing it's standard in the sight of it's ene- 
mies, their former associates. Manv unfaith- 
ful professors also, whom neither gentle ex- 
postulations could win, nor repeated warn- 
ings intimidate, ha\~ been summoned before 
another tribunal to receive their final sentence 
and everlasting retribution, according as their 
works have been.-— O that such as now troa- 



166 

ble the church may awake in time to a proper 
sense of their state, ere it be too late, while 
the day of visitation lasts, and a place of re- 
pentance is yet to be found ; for, by reason 
of frequent resistance, there may be a cessa- 
tion of the strivings of grace, and the poor 
creature, left to itself in the hour of bitter dis- 
tress, may seek and ask in vain, 

I had the favour of alerter, some time ago, 
from our mutual dear friend he was ex- 
pecting to sail shortly in the Pigoiu His let- 
ter was fraught with a precious cargo of love, 
which he commissioned me in a particular 
manner to distribute : it w^ould be a valuable 
commission, if capacity to fulfil it were also 
added; like a large cargo of guineas sent from 
the king's mine for circulation, which enriches 
the person to whom it is delegated with 
"Dust of God." 

Perhaps thou wilt let me know if there be 
any thing new respecting our friends on the 
neighbouring continent, or any other matters 
relative to the prosperity of the most inter- 
esting cause existing, or which ever existed, 
or ever will exist upon earth. 

My clear friends at 1 know kindly in- 
terest themselves in the welfare of me and 



167 

mine. Be so kind as to inform them, thatwc 
are generally favoured with health and tran- 
quility here, 

LETTER LXXII. 

8th Mo. 3d, 1792. 

I DOUBT not but that our beloved sister 
acknowledged for me the receipt of 



thy acceptable letter ; it conveyed the sor- 
rowful intelligence of the removal of our 
mutual dear friend , and this goes charg- 
ed with an account of the translation of 
another precious servant from works to re- 
wards.. Our well-esteemed friend and bro- 
ther , had of late years been 

rather on the decline, and these last three or 
four months grew much worse ; was seized 
with a mortification in his foot, and notwith- 
standing all the medical skill and labour be- 
stowed, departed this life 27th ult. His 
head had been much affected and his thoughts 
confused by the opiates which it was 
judged proper to give him ; but at intervals 
of recollection and clear understanding, he 
put forth the evident sweet and savouring 
fruits of a sound mind ; of a mind supported 
by divine effectual help, which enabled and 



authorised him feelingly to express triumph 
over death, hell and the grave. 

His travels in all parts of the world where 
our religious society was settled, at one time 
or other of his life, caused him to be very ge- 
nerally known, and the sweetness, liveliness 
and tenderness which accompanied his gospel 
labours, made him very generally beloved ; 
so that it may be said of this Samuel also, 
u He died, and alllsrael lamented him." My 
3 r oungest child, Sarah, had for a long time 
been attached to him; with our free consent 
-she was much gratified by an assiduous atten- 
dance on her honoured friend for several weeks 
past, and was present with him, to her com- 
fort, at the final close. Thus " The righ- 
" teous perisheth ;" but I hope it cannot be 
said that " No man laveth it to heart." I 
trust these dispensations to the church, or- 
dered in infinite wisdom, are laid to heart by 
many of our youth especially ; and that there 
will be a succession of fishers, and fowlers, 
and hunters, who will diligently seek after, 
and preserve alive, the precious prey of the 
souls of men. 

I observe that when thou favoured me with 
thy last, thou wast oa the eve of a journey: I 
hope it proved prosperous, that peace was the 



169 

effect and the reward. I am glad when I hear 
of thy excursions in the service of truth: such 
exercise strengthens the spiritual constitution, 
and the example of those whom Providence 
has been pleased not only to endow but to bless 
with even this world's affluence, hath a pow- 
erful influence. Of how much greater weight 
and use must it be, when spiritual gifts are 
added to temporal loans ? Bear with me, 
dear friend, and do not refuse the word of ap- 
probation and encouragement when it comes 
rightly to thee, or at least from a welKmean- 
Ing spring : trouble and discouragement are 
plentiful enough. 

You rich men are really to be pitied, and 
demand the cordial sympathy of your friends* 
I am thankful that there are a few of you who 
bid fair for escaping the woe, and entering 
the kingdom, though it may be through great 
tribulations and afflictions of divers kinds* 
>Tis but holding out a little longer, and the 
scene of probation and conflict will be over 
with us all; then our spirits shall center in 
the mansions prepared for them. But our 
example may operate long after our existence 
here; as is said, " He being dead yet speak* 
" eth." May the cause therefore of Truth, 
and its precious testimonies, ever be dearer 

p 



170 



and nearer to us than any other consideration; 
and let us, like faithful Abraham, (the friend 
of God) in our heart and will, sacrifice every 
natural feeling and affection to that allegiance 
which we owe to the supreme command and 
good pleasure of our great Creator, manifest- 
ed to us by the spirit of his Son ; this ap- 
pears to be the most likely means to draw 
down the favour and friendship of heaven 
upon us, and to preserve in us a better and 
happier state ; in that in which we have, un- 
der a sense of duty, offered in our hearts a 
sacrifice to the Lord. 

Thy sister favoured my daughter with a let- 
ter not long, advising of her and being 

outward bound ; I heartily wish them good 
speed; they are taking the high road to hea- 
ven ; thus diligently exercising their gifts, 
and having it as their meat and drink to do the 
will of him who sent them. My best love fol- 
lows them wherever they go, and I wish my- 
self and family to be remembered by them lor 

gjood. 

I hope our mutual friend is well; her 

retreat from was, no doubt, melancholy, 

and she has intimately felt the loss of her pre- 
cious friend and companion; but I trust, 
the cup of mourning has been sweetened to 



371 

her taste by the union and fellowship which 
death cannot divide. I am obliged by thy in- 
formation respecting friends returned to A- 
merica, &c. Shall always be obliged by 
any new material intelligence concerning the 
affairs of truth, on that, or this neighbour, 
ing continent. Remember me affectionately 
to my dear friends- 

LETTER LXXIIL 

I FEEL unity with the meeting's renewed 

labour with .O what an element is divine 

love ! in this the children of the light live 
and breathe, and move, and act ; there is no 
infection here, it is clear, pure, and saluta- 
ry. — 1 should be glad that the poor man might 
be effectually conquered; thou art dear to me 
for having so followed, and been so guided 
in service, as to be instrumental of good in 
his case. Thy prayers and thy alms-deeds, 
that is, thy secret wrestlings of spirit, and thy 
private labours and communications will, no 
doubt, come up in memorial. 

I expect thou knowest that I received thine 
of the 5th ult. the contents are such as this 
state of existence often affords : we have in- 
deed a cup of mixture to partake of; but 



172 

then it is wisely mixed and tempered by the 
great hand ; it is not for us poor, blind, and 
ignorant creatures to say, What doest thou? 
but patiently to submit and bow in humble 
submission, and in a persuasion that the 
Judge of all the earth doeth right. It is glad 
tidings to me that ye are getting on so well, 
and no doubt, cause of humiliation and gra- 
titude to you both, that the arm of everlasting 
strength has been experienced in such renew- 
ed and effectual support; there is great en- 
couragement in this to proceed in the track of 
revealed duty. Many have hurt themselves, 
and become lame and dwarfish all their lives 
long, by letting hi the reasoner and dis- 
courager ; consulting human prudence and 
propriety ; limiting the spirit, which is the 
Holy One ; starting aside from services, like 
an affrighted horse on the road ; and being 
in great fear where no fear is. But thou, 
beloved friend, seemest to have got out of the 
narrow ways and crooked paths on to the high 
road for travellers, leading to the city of the 
Great King; and by continuing diligent, faith- 
ful and devoted, thou wilt know more and 
more distinctly the Master's will, and be 
strengthened to perform it. Thus, if it be 
consistent with infinte wisdom to prolong thy 



173 

life here, thou wilt be happy in thyself and 
useful in the creation of God ; and if a short 
warning should summon thee from this con- 
flicting state, thou art prepared, thou hast 
nothing to do but to die : this mortal to put 
on immortality; thy sorrows here to be chang- 
ed into unmixed everlasting joy ; and thy ex- 
ample and memorial will live and preach to 
succeeding generations. 

LETTER LXXIV. 

ALAS ! I am a poor weak creature, much 
more fit to be ministered to, than qualified 
to minister to another; yet I was quite wil- 
ling to do what I was made able to do, that is, 
to pray for thee ! I am glad that thou art on 
service ; it's the way for thee to grow strong, 
and to get above the little glooms and recur- 
ring perplexities which, from various causes, 
cast down and disquiet the soul. By being 
thus employed and accustomed to exercise, 
thou wilt become a trained servant, and be 
made capable to instruct others, thy fellow 
servants, in the duties of their places and sta- 
tions ; feeding not only the lambs but the 
sheep of Christ. 

p 2 



174 

Go on then, my dear friend ; be not afraid 
of the face of man, nor ashamed of the cross 
of Christ. I repeat, as I have often said, 
that nothing more glorious, more dignifying, 
more beneficial to mankind, or more worthy 
of the dedication of all our faculties to 
espouse and promote, was ever let down from 
heaven to earth. Not only true civilization 
of manners and sound morality, but life and 
immortality (that is immortal life) and eter- 
nal salvation, are made manifest through the 
gospel. A dispensation of which, I doubt 
not, is committed to thee, in order to ad- 
vance, according to thy gift and measure, 
these glorious ends. 

LETTER LXXV. 

I DOUBT not thou esteemest it a favour 
from on high to be engaged, in the least de- 
gree, in the Lord's service. Mayest thou 
always keep here : low, humble, thankful 
for any scraps which may fall from the altar, 
about which thou ministers. Oh, this humi- 
lity ! When shall I cease from inculcating 
the necessity of it to those I love ! or from 
praying to be preserved in it myself? I am 
sensible, that though I should preach to 



175 

others, without keeping on thi9 bottom, I 
may become a cast-away form divine fa- 
vour. 

I note thy general silence in public assem- 
blies, I trust thou art, in a good degree, a 
living witness of the sufferings of Christ, who 
was oppressed, afflicted, yet opened not his 
mouth ! To lose our own wills in the will of 
the Great Master, is the top stone of the build- 
ing ; then servants are in a state fit to receive 
orders, then the master is pleased to instruct 
them, and they are ready and willing to go on 
his errands ; they take the message clearly 
and deliver it clearly ; it carries conviction, 
along with it, and the work is blessed in their 
hands. 



LETTER LXXVI. 

NOTWITHSTANDING the reports of 
the vessel being wrecked, which conveyed 

our dear friends and I was for 

entertaining a hope that they were false,, or 
that our said friends might be the objects of di- 
vine preservation ; but further concurring re- 
lations have caused that hope to perish. Yet a 
well-groun led hope remains, that, tint part in 
them which is out of the power of the elements 



176 

of nature, has been, and for ever will be, the 
object of divine preservation and everlasting 
salvation ! 'Tis true, the manner and cir- 
cumstances of their dissolution, appears 
dreadiai to us ! but perhaps, on the whole, 
not attended with greater pain to them than if 
they had died in the arms of their friends. 
Death is generally accompanied with some- 
thing terrifying to human nature : a lingering 
death is also replete with much pain of body ; 
this our friends w r ere exempt from, though 
its very probable, for some hours they felt 
the horrors of their dreadful situation. They 
have shot the gulph ! the last pinching agony 
is over with them ! Now their near relations 
and the surviving friends are the subjects of 
our deep sympathy and tender compassion : 
may the Lord comfort and sustain them, and 
afford an adequate supply from his inexhausti- 
ble treasury ! He has a remedy competent 
to every evil, and no depth of distress is out 
of the reach of his merciful relief. 



LETTER LXXVIL 

17th of 10th Ma. 1780. 

THE near affection, esteem and respect, 
which I bore to thy late father-in-law, does not 



177 

permit me to seem inattentive to his family* 
nor to be deficient in such visible token of 
friendship as is in my power to give^ I there- 
fore take this opportunity of expressing my 
joint concern with your's for our common 
loss ; a loss severely felt throughout the bor- 
ders of our religious society in these nations, 
where the report has yet spread, and is attend- 
ed with peculiar regret. For as love begets 
love, that spirit of charity, benevolence, and 
brotherly kindness which so conspicuously 
influenced the disposition of this good man, 
did not fail to produce reciprocal affection to- 
wards him in others. We lament the steady* 
upright friend ; the pleasing, instructive com- 
panion ; the lively experienced minister ; the 
diligent, faithful labourer, removed from 
amongst us. His family, who more particu- 
larly partook of the pleasure and profit arising 
from such good qualities and qualifications* 
must doubtless, deeply feel the privation : but 
this sorrow will (I trust) be so tempered with 
resignation to the divine will, and so mingled 
with a comfortable hope of the happy end of 
the dear deceased, that there will ensue a qui^ 
ct composure of mind, and sweet unity with 
his spirit, safely centered in its holy rest. — 
What remains for us is, so to pass the short 



178 



uncertain time of our sojourning here, as that 
we, at the close of all, may join the spirits of 
the blessed, never more to be separated from 
them. Human nature recoils with horror at 
the idea of everlasting exclusion from heaven 
and happiness, in the regions of woe and mi- 
sery. And yet, if we would on any reason- 
able grounds expect to die the death of the 
righteous, and that our latter end should be 
like unto his, we must use all diligent endea- 
vours to live the life of the righteous, that we 
may obtain at last the glorious prize, and not 
most unhappily miss so great salvation. Religi- 
ous parents, devoted as thy dear father-in-law 
was to the service of truth, and indefatigable 
in his labours for the good of others, not only 
purchase a blessed inheritance for themselves, 
but often for their successors : their pains, 
their prayers, their secret offerings, rise in 
sweet memorial, and their children and fami- 
lies inherit the benefit thereof; such, I hope 
and believe will (through infinite mercy) be 
the happy experience of most of the nearest 
relations of my dear friend; and some of the 
brandies of this valuable stock, abiding the 
purging seasons, and submitting to the form- 
ing and turning of the divine hand, will bear 
fruit grateful to God and man. With these 



179 

my spirit hath unity ; and I earnestly desire 
their preservation and perseverance in that 
holy path, into which the feet of their minds 
have been turned ; that they in their day may 
he useful and honourable living members of 
the church of Christ, and that there may be a 
succession of testimony- bearers to that truth 
which was first, and will stand last upon earth. 
But should any of the visited children of a 
visited family, the offspring of religious pa- 
rents) who have watched over them with ten- 
der attention, and often admonished them for 
their good ; should any of these turn from the 
grace of God into wantonness, trample upon 
his witness in their consciences, reject the 
calls and invitations of his spirit, and set at 
nought their birthright and education, surely 
dangerous is their situation ; they are run- 
ning giddily (as it were,) on the edge of a 
dreadful precipice, and dallying with their de- 
struction. With all my heart I wish that the 
youth amongst us were properly sensible of 
the magnitude of the danger of slighting, and 
neglecting to cultivate, the merciful visitations 
of heaven. That which in mercy was ex- 
tended as a shepherd's crook to draw them, 
and help them along, will, if despised and let 
go, prove as an iron rod ; the same sun which 



180 

in the visible creation, cheers and invigorates 
the living, accelerates the putrefaction of the 
dead. " As they did not like (says the apos- 
tle) to retain God in their knowledge," (which 
implies that they had once known him, and 
been visited by him) " God gave them over to 
•< a reprobate mind, to do those things which 
" are not convenient; 5 ' and then follows a 
catalogue disgraceful not only to Christianity, 
but to humanity itself. O ! may those chil- 
dren of my honoured friend, who from their 
local situation are more exposed to evil than 
those hopeful plants of the same house, who 
have partaken more of parental care and nur- 
ture ; may those, though they may have wan- 
dered as into a far country, and fed on pol- 
luted and unsubstantial food, be favoured with 
a fresh visitation and recollection where they 
are, and whence they have strayed ; be mind- 
ed to return to their heavenly Father's house, 
and experience the arms of mercy stretched 
forth in great condescension to receive them, 
ere it be too late, and the door be finally shut. 

LETTER LXXVIII. 

19th of 2d Mo. J 771. 

I CONFESS it looks hardly decent in me 
to make no return of this sort to two obliging 



181 

letters which 1 have had from thee. Thou 
enquirest concerning my father's health ; he 
has had several attacks of (what is called) a 
bilious cholic ; we were much concerned 
about him, but (through favour of good Pro- 
vidence) he has recruited finely ; however, 
his hardly suffering himself to be taken pro- 
per care of, subjects him to the danger of a 
return of his disorder, and us to frequent fears 
respecting him ; manifold indeed is the loss we 
shall sustain by the translation of my venerable 
father ; but the loss of his weighty spirit, ex- 
emplary life, and lively services in our poor 
destitute society, would be most of all to be 
lamented. A cause, dear friend, worthy the 
attachment of the most dignified natures ; a 
mystery so glorious, that even angels have 
desired to pry into it. Christianity in its pu- 
rity, undefiled with the mixture of worldly 
wisdom and superstitious ceremonies, hath 
been revealed from heaven to our ancestors. 
They nobly stood by it, and faithfully kept 
that which was committed to their trust ; they 
have rested from their labours here, and are 
now in the full possession of the fruits of these 
labours, even life eternal. There still re- 
mains the same cause to be supported in our 
generation ; the same conflict to be maintain- 



182 

ed with the grand adversary of our happiness, 
and the corruptions of our fallen nature ; the 
same and only effectual means of victory ; and 
the same immortal crown at the end for him 
that overcometh. But where are now the 
combatants ? The multitude professing to 
walk in the way of truth, are not in the way ; 
they are not spiritually minded ; they mind 
their own things, not the things of God: 
hence a general indifference, as to the life and 
Virtue of religion, has overspread us as a le- 
prosy ; our minds are not in a state prepared 
for that intercourse with the divine spirit, in 
which consists the happiness both of men and 
angels. Those gifts and graces which the 
Father of Lights and Spirits would pour out 
upon the living members of his church, are 
withheld, and the shame of our nakedness is 
visible, even to them that are without. Think 
of this, beloved friend, and let sorrow seize 
thy heart, because these things are so. Open 
thy heart to the convictions and judgments 
which are the preparatory dispensation to the 
reception of pure and unmixed good. " Open 
" thy doors, O Lebanon, and let the fire con- 
" sume thy cedars !" If I am not mistaken, 
thou art not altogether unacquainted with this 
work. Thou hast felt something of the cor- 
roding smart of judgment for evil ; thou hast 



183 

felt the gentle drawings and invitations of the 
spirit, alluring thee out of the friendship and 
familiarity of the world, and offering thee a 
" place and a name in the Lord's house and 
" within his walls, better than-of sons and of 
M daughters." Thou hast seen and felt the 
instability and uncertainty of the nearest and 
dearest temporal enjoyments ; and the great 
vacuum, the inanity, the insufficiency of 
worldly gratifications to satisfy the aspirations 
and longings of an immortal soul, have at times 
been opened to thy understanding and view. 
Mayest thou, dear friend, ponder deeply 
where thou art; and whether thou hast, in a 
noble, unreserved dedication of all, obeyed the 
heavenly vision. Whether we seek great 
things for ourselves or not, our time passes 
quickly over, our places here will soon know 
us no more, and the Lord is determined to 
bring this evil (of death) upon all flesh, and 
that wonderful fabrick of our bodies, which 
he hath made, will he break down. Happy 
will it then be for those, who, their lives be- 
ing spent here in humble circumspect walk- 
ing, and the service of the best of masters, 
will have it said to them individually, tc Well 
" done, good and faithful servant,, enter thou 
" into the joy of thy Lord." 



184 

Excuse this freedom which I have taken 
on this solemn subject ; a consciousness of 
my hearty desires for thy welfare, emboldens 
me to use it. 



LETTER LXXIX. 

BY a letter I have just now received from 
thy nephew, I am informed of thy great loss. 
Want of earlier information renders it diffi- 
cult for me to attend the solemnity, which is 
to be on that occasion to-morrow, w r ere there 
not other impediments in my way. As I could 
not conveniently pay that mark of friendship, 
I therefore thought of sending thee a few lines, 
expressive of my condolence and sympathy. 

The pleasing disposition and engaging man- 
ners of the dear deceased, endeared her (no 
doubt) to many others, as well as to my wife 
and me; but a secret something united us to her 
in a close, and intimate, and feeling relation. 

We loved her as a near and dear friend. — 
She is now released from those long infirmi- 
ties, which infinite wisdom permitted her to 
pass through, for the trial of her faith and pa- 
tience, and for her preparation for an admit- 
tance into that holy rest which nothing im- 
pure can enter. Refined and polished while 



185 



here for the company of blessed spirits, she is. 
(I doubt not) mingled in their happy society. 
We remain a little longer to struggle with the 
difficulties and encounter the temptations 
which belong to this life. We are not yet 
putting off our harness, therefore have no 
reason to boast, but to dwell in awful fear. 
We are, some of us, the heads of families, 
principal persons in our places ; our precepts 
and our example therefore must have consi- 
derable weight and influence. How neces- 
sary is it for us then to ask wisdom of him, 
who giveth liberally and upbraideth not ! that 
by rightly fulfilling all our several duties in 
our families and in the church, we may, as we 
pass along in our journey, from time to time, 
have the answer in our consciences, of " well 
" done good and faithful servant, enter thou 
** into the joy of thy Lord," as well as that 
happy sentence at the close of this visible 
scene. 

My mind, while I am thus engaged, is 
turned with tender solicitude towards thy be- 
loved offspring ; I believe that many of them 
(and most probably ail of them) have felt the 
gentle touches of the divine hand, and the in- 
vitations of the good spirit, in the secret of 
their souls ; drawing them from the spirit of 

<l2 



186 

the world, in its manifold appearances and 
shapes, and begetting in them desires and as- 
pirations after enduring substance. May they 
with all diligence cultivate the renewal of 
these tendering impressions, and in all humili- 
ty submit to the operation of these cleansing 
baptisms, which purify the heart, and make it 
a fit receptacle for unmixed good. 

A gracious Providence has not been want- 
ing in his precious visitations to the youth 
amongst us ; but there has been a great want 
in them, of following on to know the Lord in 
the renewed experience of his humbling pow- 
er, and in the further manifestations of his 
will concerning them. Hence the goodness 
of too many of them is but like the morning 
cloud and early dew; it is soon superseded 
by a relish for the pomps and vanities of this 
world, and their baptismal vows are soon for- 
gotten ; and hence a want of succession of 
testimonv-bearers to the noblest cause, which 
ever did, or ever will, dignify human nature. 
I particularly wish for the elder branches of 
thy numerous, hopeful stock, that as now a 
greater charge devolves upon them, they may 
seek and wait for heavenly wisdom to direct 
their own steps, and influence every part of 
their conduct ; that so they may grow in fa- 



187 

vour with their great Creator, and in his hand 
be made a blessing to the younger branches 
of the family, assisting to train them up. by 
example and precept, in the life of religion, 
and in that plainness and simplicity which 
adorn our holy profession. 

LETTER LXXX. 

OUR meetings of discipline were held this 
week at Carlow. There seemed to appear 
some good fruits of the manifold labours taken 
lately ; and also sorrowful cause of apprehen- 
sion, lest, in some, the good seed then sown, 
may have, in great measure, been picked out 
again. However, these things must be left ; 
those who are sent to plant and water, faith- 
fully doing their duty, are clear ; the conse- 
quential increase is of the Lord of the har- 
vest. Indeed, in this instrumental labour, 
there is great need of skill, and we are poor, 
blind, fallible creatures. What must we do 
then that feel ourselves called to labour in our 
various departments ? Ask counsel of God, 
be diligent in his business, and fervent in our 
spirits ; earnestly desiring that he may keep 
our feet when we officiate in his house, lest 
following (through ignorance and mistake. 



188 

not wilful intention) the leadings of the imagi- 
nation, and that which is natural, we gradually 
and insensibly lose sight of the spiritual guide, 
and the grand enemy, ever restless and on 
the watch, even among the assemblies of the 
sons of God, working in the mystery, prevail 
to substitute some mixture of the creature in 
the place of the true light. In such case, 
when the mind of the minister, in the exer- 
cise of his gift, is imprest with some little 
fear or jealousy, lest the right guide is disap- 
pearing and the imagination, the natural part, 
is taking its place, I believe it is best to pause, 
to recollect, to endeavour to let the flutter and 
commotion subside, to be still, and wait to 
know what is of God ; and accordingly, as 
the Holy Evidence speaks peace or otherwise, 
in this silence of all flesh, proceed, or desist, 
always bearing in mind, that too little said, 
may often be supplied; but too much can 
hardly be remedied. 

I doubt not, my dear friend, that thou hast 
long anticipated me in reflections and obser- 
vations of this sort, though I thus indulge an 
unpremeditated freedom of dropping what 
unexpectedly occurs. I shall be sorry to 
give thee pain or uneasiness, which is far 
from my intention, for I have, according to 



189 

my small measure of feeling, true unity with 
thee, and cordial brotherly affection with thee ; 
but, as we are beset on every side with dan- 
ger, a hint or caution, as from one child to 
another, may at times do no harm ; and I 
think I know so well thy honest, humble 
heart, that thou wilt take this in good part, 
though from a brother of a lower degree ; for 
though the whetstone itself cannot cut, yet it 
is of use to sharpen the iron which can cut. 

I suppose thou hast heard long before, or I 
would be cautious of being the messenger to 
thee, of the decease of our dearly beloved 
friend and elder brother in the truth, Win. 
Hunt, who departed this life at Newcastle, 
after his return out of Holland. The instru- 
ment employed for his release, from works to 
rewards, was the small pox. His companion, 
I understand, not having had that disorder, 
durst not approach him in his illness, which 
was short. Who can but feel for his tender 
weakly wife and numerous family of children ! 
so far distant indeed, but still onlv on ano- 
ther spot of the Lord's footstool, and doubt- 
less, if the fault be not their own, objects of 
his peculiar notice and protection. Thou 
mayst remember at the opportunity which 
was in 's parlour, at the time of last Pro- 



190 

vince meeting at with what baptizing 

power the dear man spoke concerning some 
then present, who would soon be released 
from their deep and bitter baptisms, and re- 
ceived into a glorious place of reward : very 
probably the testimony might in part belong 
to himself. The great Controuler of events 
knows what is best for all, and each of us ; 
and to his ordering we must submit. A little 
time numbers us too, that survive, to the 
silent grave ; happy for us, if by keeping 
near the appointed means of help (the all-suffi- 
cient grace of God), we may be enabled to 
fill up our several duties here, so as to obtain 
a place of rest and everlasting repose for our 
weary tribulated spirits hereafter, 

LETTER LXXXL 

I RECEIVED thy last and attended to 
the contents with a mind impressed with sor- 
row; indeed sorrow and trouble are at times 
spread before me, on account of the situation 
of things in our religious society. What is 
the reason that many educated amongst us, 
should be such enemies to the truth they pro- 
fess ? Yea, the bitterness and enmity of their 
spirits (like thick darkness) is to be felt. 



191 

What must be opposed to those fiery darts? 
for my part, I know nothing more likely for the 
honest-hearted to defend themselves and pre- 
serve their own spirits, nor to overcome the 
agents of the wicked one withal, than the pow- 
er of gospel-love. This, if deeply and pati- 
ently kept to, will work wonders ; this is in- 
vincible, and it's armour impenetrable. But 
if this be in any measure departed from, or 
adulterated with self-love (which is the pa- 
rent of resentment), it causes a breach in the 
panoply (the whole armour) of God, who is 
love, and so leaves some weak part unguarded 
to be wounded and hurt. If any therefore 
have been injured or hurt in this way, 
to a deep and steady search after the heal- 
ing virtue of divine love, I would ear- 
nestly recommend them; and as this becomes 
operative, and predominant in the mind, it 
will influence to say, and do these things, 
and these only, which make for peace ; and 
I am in the belief, that if patiently kept to, 
it will bear down all before it, and, in due 
time possess the gates of it's enemies. 



192 



LETTER LXXXII. 

I AM glad that thou meetest with that re. 
spect and attention which may, in some mea- 
sure, compensate the loss of domestic endear- 
ments. Indeed there was hardlv a doubt but 
this tribute would be paid thee. People of 
good breeding and good sense would hardly 
Be deficient in this respect. On thy part I 
am persuaded thy faculties are exerted to 
manifest that thou art not undeserving of the 
marks of friendship shewn thee. A liberal 
mind is grateful to a high degree ; and this 
contention between benefits and gratitude has 
something very noble in it. Thou strives, 
my dear friend, I doubt not, to be accom- 
plished in a still superior stile, in order for 
thy own improvement, and for a capacity to 
acquit thyself, in thy station, with greater 
eclat ; for this purpose thou readest, thou 
writest, thou conversest : but, here it seems 
to me that a danger may attend. Ac- 
cumulated knowledge is apt to puff up, and 
that beautiful simplicity of manners into 
which truth leads, may be unhappily departed 
from. The world has it's own customs, and 
also it's own language and terms ; delicacy, 



193 

politeness, refinement, sentiment, are capital 
words in it's vocabulary, but of very equi- 
vocal meaning : the spirit of the world is ut- 
terly wrong and in direct opposition to the 
spirit of genuine Christianity, as the new 
Testament abundantly every where testifies. 
The possession of the qualities implied in 
those terms, even in their fairest sense, the 
treasure of literary acquisitions and polite ac- 
complishments, however useful in their 
places, are not the essential good ; ar,e-not the 
one thing absolutely needful, " v That good 
part which'-' the Master, who knew the heart, 
knew that " Mary had chosen," and was 
" graciously pleased, for her encouragement, 
u to promise, that it should not be taken from 
"her." May thou, my dear friend also, In 
thy day and sphere of action, surrender thy 
heart, so to be mollified and modelled by the 
Master's gower, so made clean and right, 
that he may view it with acceptance and ap- 
probation ; thus the fountain being made 
good, and kept with all diligence, out of it 
are witnessed to flow, the issues of life : the 
natural and improved qualifications being 
sanctified, and the spiritual gifts super- added, 
human nature arrives at it's perfection; man 
then is made (but) little lower than the angels, 

it 



194 

being crowned with glory and honour. This 
is what is held out to us, the prize most wor. 
thy to be contended for, the favour of God, 
infinitely preferable to the favour of vain un- 
stable man. Well deserving our attention is 
that saying of our Lord, w Ye are they which 
" justify yourselves before men, but God 
knowcth your hearts ; for that which is 
highly esteeemed amongst men, is abomi- 
nation in the sight of God." 



LETTER LXXXIIL 

THOU hast been of late so much the com- 
panion of my thoughts, and the subject of my 
good desires, that it has weighed with me, 
whether it be not a kind of duty for me to 
write to thee. I hope I am not very forward 
to write or speak about the most solemn things 
in a cursory way (and my own stock is so 
small, that I would not, willingly, be lavish 
of it unnecessarily), but where can be the 
harm of sometimes communicating one's 
feelings with a friend, and stirring up the pure 
mind by way of remembrance of those things, 
which the hurry and cumber of this world, 
the inattention and distraction of our thoughts, 
the depravity of our nature, the allurement of 



195 

our passions, and the workings of a potent 
insidious adversary upon them, are too apt 
to detach us from, and cause us too frequent- 
ly to forget. — I love thee, dear^friend, and 
thy father's house, with a sincere affection. 
I wish you all the blessings and comforts of 
this life, and a better life; and from those sen- 
sations which, in my hours of retirement, I 
have found in my own mind. I believe, that 
the good will of heaven flows in a strong cur- 
rent towards you : may nothing in any of you 
divert or check it's progress. It will qualify 
your spirits for the enjoyment of the goods of 
this life with the most grateful relish ; it will 
support you to bear the evils of it with the 
noblest fortitude, and will finally conduct 
you (if you leave yourselves to be conducted 
by it) into the regions of unmixed and ever- 
lasting happiness. This precious favour is 
indeed universal in it's extent and operation ; 
but has more powerful effect and more general 
influence upon those who receive and believe 
in it, who are living witnesses of it's virtue 
and efficacy ; waiting continually for the fresh 
supplies of it, to enable them to discharge a 
conscience void of offence towards God and 
man*. 



# 196 

Among these too, this holy principle of 
saying grace, is wont to operate with peculiar 
force on the minds of such as are, as it were, 
in the spring of life. It is the seed time, which, 
if well improved, will be succeeded by the 
warm beams of divine favour, and the har- 
vest will be to present advantage, as well as 
to everlasting life. As I doubt not, dear 
friend, of thy having been thus visited in the 
early part of thy days, from an intention of 
gracious Providence to pre-engage thy affec- 
tions to himself and the cause of his blessed 
truth, before the world ; it's spirit and it's 
connections should engross thee in mature 
age. I am earnest, that the living sense of 
good, begotten in thy heart, may not perish, 
as in the womb of formation; but nourished 
by divine virtue, may grow, and in the ful- 
ness of time, be brought forth to the praise 
of God, the edification of others, and the 
great consolation of thy own soul. But suf- 
fer me, dear friend, to say, a little thing 
hurts that which is young and tender, the 
very jots and tittles of the law and the testimony 
of Jesus are to be maintained, or the whole 
bond of his peace is broken. He that is not 
faithful in the little, will not be made ruler 
over much. That line is to be preserved invU 



197 

olable, which divides the children of the king- 
dom, from the children of this world ; their 
language, their manners, their aspect, their 
outward demeanour and habit, as their coun- 
try, is different. It hath seemed meet to in- 
finite wisdom to characterize his people by 
visible marks, and I am bold to say, they 
will never prosper in true religion according 
to the extent of his gracious designs upon 
them, who violate those mai;ks of distinction 
and respect. The Nazarite is known not 
only by his temperance, but his exterior ap- 
pearance. 

LETTER LXXXIV. 

8th of 1st Mo. 1787. 

I RECEIVED thy sundry letters, and 
gave all the attention which was likely to be 
paid by a feeling and interested friendship to 
their various contents. I expected to hav.e 
written from Waterford, to my dear friend, 
thy afflicted sister, but I could not compass 
it, though I repeatedly tried for it ; however, 
I did you all justice in another way ; I hope 
sympathy of the best kind was experienced 
by me while I was there. That tender sym- 
pathy, which, in the mystery of spiritual uni- 

r 2 



198 

ty, helps to bear the infirmities of our beloved 
friends, and ministers strength and consola- 
tion to them in the hidden life : that sympathy 
in which fresh and earnest petitions are se- 
cretly put up to Him, who sees and knows^ 
the deep and pungent distress of his poor crea- 
tures from various causes ; and who only can, 
effectually, relieve them. Indeed, my dear 
friend, many and various are the distresses 
of our fellow creatures of the human species; 
and I love to feel for them and with them, 
though I am not at ail personally acquainted 
with them. Mankind is at all times very near 
my heart, and I think it alien from humanity, 
as well as Christianity, to be insensible to the 
sufferings of any. Thy beloved sister's trou- 
ble is great indeed, her trial is acute and 
poignant, but if she compares it with the ca- 
lamities, the pains, the embarrassments, the 
distresses of body and mind, which many 
labour under, without experiencing proper 
care, pity, or assistance, — multitudes, like 
poor Lazarus, oppressed with want and dis- 
ease, and numbers like the rich man, in a 
atill worse condition, living as without God 
in this world, and just about entering into the 
everlasting torments of the next ; if she com- 
pares her situation with these, how great is 



199 

the balance of gratitude on her side of the 
account. Many are the considerations and 
circumstances which preponderate in favour 
of a humble patient resignation to the divme 
will : this sweet child was removed in inno- 
cence, she has escaped the dangers and temp- 
tations of this stage of existence ; she has 
escaped the horrors of eternal misery ; her 
pure spirit (we have cause to believe) is for 
ever centered in uninterrupted joy. She was 
taken off, not by her parents bringing a disor- 
der upon her when in perfect health, but by the 
visitation of sickness, brought on, or per- 
mitted, by Him, who bears rule on earth as 
well as in heaven, and does all things right 
and well. If it had been consistent with in- 
finite wisdom, that the sweet babe should have 
continued longer in this life, and that it ? s 
near connections should not have had this 
grievious affliction, Omnipotence, no doubt, 
Would have ordered accordingly, and the pre- 
sent dispensation would not have been at all 
allotted to you. Or if it had been consistent 
with the same wisdom that the chastisement 
should have been less severe, the same pow T - 
er could have prevented those circumstances 
from attending, which embitter the sensations 
arising from this sorrowful event; so, on 



200 

looking every way at it, there appears no- 
thing remaining, but in a child-like state sub- 
missively kiss the rod, and patiently resign 
to the divine will. And that this may be 
your happy experience, is my sincere desire; 
that whether the Lord Almighty gives, or 
withholds, or takes away, his name may be 
blest and sanctified among you. 

LETTER LXXXV. 

23d of 1st Mo. 1763. 

WHEN I am led to believe that our fore- 
fathers, in the last century, were called to 
hold forth again in their lives and principles 
that most holy faith, (even Christianity in its 
purity) which Christ Jesus taught to his im- 
mediate followers, and established on earth, 
to remain to the end of the world ;— when I 
ponder that we are the ^successors in the same 
faith of those dignified ancestors, and illustri- 
ous sons of the morning of our day, and that 
the same cause is now committed to us, to 
be maintained in the same spirit and ky; the 
same power ; I say, when these things are 
brought under my solid reflection, I am, at 
times, weighed down under a sense of the 
awful station I am placed in by the wisdom 



201 

of Providence, even to be a professor of this 
religion of Christ ; so that I am ready to 
say, u How dreadful i* this place.". If then 
it is so awful a matter to profess this holy re- 
ligion, as a prfvate member of society, how 
much more so must it be to be set apart as a 
chosen vessel to convey the quickening virtue 
of it to others ? How great degrees of purity 
and holiness are requisite here, not only in a 
private capacity to be enabled to set an exam- 
ple of performing the will, but also in public 
and private to declare the whole counsel of 
God ? These have not only the temptations 
to grapple with, which are incident to all in 
general ; but as they are of particular use in 
carrying on this glorious work, the grand op- 
poser of it plays his engines in a particular 
manner aginst them, and forms schemes deep- 
ly laid in the mystery of iniquity, that if he 
cannot utterly destroy their faith, he may ren- 
der them less useful than infinite wisdom in- 
tended, and rob them, in some part, of the 
weight of their present and future crown, 
and the church of the benefits which might 
accrue from the perfections of the gifts and 
graces bestowed upon them. It is this enemy's 
grand employment, dear friend, to be con- 
stantly endeavouring to defile the vessel. 



202 

through which the divine intelligence is at 
times communicatecRo the people, and divine 
life conveyed; for there is no other excel- 
lence required in the instrument, but that 
it be clear and clean. It seems to me as 
though he had principally three ways by which 
he strives to effect this purpose. First, he 
would so hurt the vessel, or pipe, as that 
none at all of this precious liquor should en- 
ter it : but that which once was a vessel of 
honour should be laid aside as useless. Se- 
condly, there is danger lest the vessel, though, 
in a good measure clean and free from filth of 
any kind, for want of being sufficiently imbu- 
ed with the savour of the liquor passing often 
enough through it, should impregnate and 
adulterate the liquor with some quality inher- 
ent in, or accidental to, the vessel itself. 
And, lastly, the pipe may be polluted by the 
sediments of this same precious liquor, which 
should be entirely cleansed out, or will be 
like the manna gathered yesterday, and loath- 
ed by those whose health and appetite is good, 
and who can only be satisfied with wine well 
refined off the lees. I doubt not, dear friend, 
but thou hast anticipated in thy own know- 
ledge and experience any broken hints which 
I can offer on this subject* though I thus in- 



203 

dulge an inclination of freely communicating 
my sentiments to thee. I own I do, above 
all things, love this most noble cause, our 
holy religion ; and I do believe that thou, 
(among many others) hast been called and 
qualified to bear public testimony to it. I 
fear also, that several who have been thus 
called, have, by one means or other, been 
prevented from coming up in that degree of 
burning and shining lustre which was intend- 
ed, and so our poor society has missed the 
benefit (which it so greatly wants) of the full 
degree and measure of instrumental help de- 
signed it, to its very great and apparent loss. 
My heart's desire is, that all of us, who are 
touched with a sense that those things are so, 
may diligently wait at the fountain-head of 
wisdom and strength, that we may, by fresh 
supplies from thence, be enabled to come up 
nobly in the stations, severally allotted to us; 
neither going before, nor staying behind our 
proper ranks ; not going forth in the arms or 
habit of another, nor in the presumption of 
strength aforetime experienced ; but with the 
effectual (though to ourselves and others) 
seemingly slight and contemptible weapons, 
which, for the time being, it shall please di- 
vine wisdom to furnish us with. So shall die 



S04 

Lord's strength be made perfect in our weak- 
ness ; our own souls comforted and encour- 

aged to go on, trusting in the sufficiency of 
every present supply ; and the church be edi- 
fied by successful labour. I commit us both 
to him, who alone can preserve us alive in the 
root, and in his own time make fruitful in 
the branches. I do veiy sincerely desire thy 
preservation, stability and advancement in thy 
own particular, and in a capacity to be more 
and more serviceable in the general ; and am, 
in true brotherly affection, thy faithful friend, 

LETTER LXXXVL 

THE religion of some seems to consist 
in a remembrance of former experience, a 
rational understanding of our principles and 
the discipline of the church, a personal com- 
munication with divers of the foremost rank, 
and some faculty for speaking and writing on 
religious subjects; when in the mean time, 
for want of looking and living at home, for 
w ? ant of watching unto prayer, and waiting 
for renewed ability to offer the daily sacrifice 
on the fresh raised altar, insensibility and 
incapacity gather strength, and leanness en- 
ters into our souls. 



265 



LETTER LXXXVII. 

16th of 7th Mo. 1782. 

I TAKE xery kind, and as a mark of 
friendship, thy advising me of the removal, 
as well as the birth of thy first-born. We 
naturally look about for those we love, to 
communicate with them our joys and our 
griefs. Among the many alleviations of the 
miseries of human life, good and benilicent 
Providence has appointed one, called sympa- 
thy, by means of which, our happiness is 
increased and our sorrow lessened, in the 
diffusing and dividing. Good and gracious 
and kind indeed is he, with whom we have 
to do ; he knoweth the acuteness of our feel- 
ings and the sensibility of our hearts : "■ He 
" doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the chil- 
" dren of men;" and yet he sees meet to prove 
and try us, with causing in our minds sen- 
sations of exquisite pain. Thou art a man 
of reason and religion ; and it seems super- 
fluous to suggest to thee those considerations, 
which might with propriety be thrown before 
many others, such as that the Almighty Con- 
trouler of the universe, does all things well; 

that he only knows what's best for us ; that 

s 



206 

he afflicts with paternal chastisements for our 
good ; that these crosses and troubles are 
often concealed mercies and special favours ; 
that in any case, it is highly dangerous, as 
well as improper, to repine at the ordering of 
infinite wisdom, and particularly in the case 
of a youth removed out of a vain, a perilous, 
and troublesome world, in his innocence ; 
when it is so uncertain how he would escape 
the temptations, snares and pollutions which 
might annoy his longer life, and endanger 
his everlasting happiness. In reflections, such 
as these, thou hast (I doubt not) anticipated 
me ; but after all is said, which can be said, 
or read, or written, unless our merciful 
Creator pours in the wine and the oil to our 
wounded spirits, unless he visits with divine 
consolation, and raises with divine support, 
we shall never know true and solid comfort, 
help and strength to our poor minds, under 
the pressure of the evils and infirmities which 
flesh is heir to. May we be favoured to get 
low enough, conformed to our great pattern, 
that so we may more and more closely com- 
pany with him, during the remainder of our 
pilgrimage, witnessing fellowship in his suf- 
ferings, and being more and more baptized 
and qualified to fill up our several stations in 



207 

his church. If this perishable life be desira- 
ble for any thing, surely it is for this, that 
we may be made instrumental in our genera- 
tions, to propagate, to shew forth, to spread 
by our lives, our conversations, and the gifts- 
and talents which may be bestowed, the glori- 
ous gospel which bringeth salvation among 

men. Time is assuredly short to us all ; 

during this short time we have only to labour. 
Retribution is at the end, As our works, so 
shall our rewards be. If we can be termed by 
the Just Judge, " Good and faithful servants, J) 
we shall enter into the joy of our Lord. May 
we set this prize, and keep it steadily in view, 

my dear friend. 

LETTER LXXXVIIL 

8th of 9th Mo. 1780. 

THE riches of this world, accumulated 
even by honest industry, without having the 
Great Disposer of all things in the view, and 
acting above the affairs of this life in his holy 
fear, are often the means of inexpressible per- 
plexity and disquiet, sometimes of the most 
dreadful evils. Whereas, a looking, a lean- 
ing, an humble dependance on him that feeds 
the ravens, and on the concatenation of the 



2©8 

events ordered by his Providence which caus- 
ed the ravens to feed his prophet, is the way 
to procure divine blessing to be superadded ; 
and prevents that sorrow, that uneasiness, 
that restlessness, that insatiable avidity, which 
worketh death to the innocent, happy, com- 
posed life. But though I thus indulge a free- 
dom of writing, I think I well know both 
your hearts, and that they are in that place, 
where treasures of a far more noble kind 
than any which this w T orld can afford, are laid 
up for the poor in spirit, the simple and ho- 
nest hearted, and for those who think little of 
themselves, can say little for themselves, yet 
are diligent in waiting for ability to w r alk in 
that way which leads to life everlasting. We 
have each of us our foibles as men and wo- 
men, and have each of us occasion to be in- 
dustrious in watching unto prayer, that the 
droppings and distillings of good may fall up- 
on our branches ; strengthening and fructi- 
fying the holy plant, and destroying by its 
sacred virtue and influence, or at least correct- 
ing those frailties of the flesh, which, like 
messengers of satan, are at times sent to buf- 
fet even those who are well-minded, and in a 
good degree partakers of divine regard and 
notice. — -Man is a complex machine, compos- 



209 

ed by the wonderful Architect, of various 
parts interwoven together ; body, soul and 
spirit. The body requires outward food to 
sustain its outward substance : the living soul 
must be kept alive by inward sustenance, 
conveyed into it from his fulness : the spirit, 
or rational thinking part, should be regulated 
by that reason which distinguishes the human 
capacity from that of other animals ; this 
reason is also God *s gift, and by no means to 
be slighted or rejected,. If we neglect a pro- 
per care of our bodies, disorders will hurt 
them : if we omit to seek for. spiritual nour- 
ishment, our souls will be in danger of per- 
ishing : and if we exercise not our reason 
to cultivate and improve our natural under- 
standings, to reform and correct wrong habits 
and propensities > and to form us and our 
manners so as to be pleasing and profitable 
members of society, our spirits may, in our 
progress through life, contract dispositions^ 
which in course of time may be inveterate 
and hard to be removed ; dispositions which 
will much disqualify us for filling our several 
departments in life with propriety, and with 
ease and satisfaction to ourselves and others*. 

s 2 



210 



LETTER LXXXIX. 

16th of 4th Mo. 1768. 

WE lost my dear mother the day after thou 
and I parted. I believe she longed to be re- 
leased from her house of clay, and made a 
happy exit : I trust also, that her righteous 
spirit is gathered to and united with the innu- 
merable company of the faithful of the gene- 
rations that are gone before ; who had, many 
of them, little name or fame, or visible pro- 
perty among men, but are now enjoying an 
eternity of happiness ; while those who had 
their portion in this life, and lived in forget- 
fulness of the Great Giver, have met with a 
dismal reversion. 

My father still keeps his own house, em- 
ploys himself with the land, and comes more 
frequently to us than he used. He is a fa- 
voured man and knows where best help, un- 
der every defficulty, is to be had. He is like 
one of the old patriarchs that digged a well, 
and so has water of his own labouring for, to 
drink of. 



211 



LETTER XC. 

4th of 9th Mo. 176*. 

MY leisure from the duties of necessary 
business is small, and this leisure is (I hope) 
in a good degree occupied by the weightiest 
engagements in life. There is a species of 
self-love or self-preservation, which it is not 
only lawful, but absolutely necessary for us 
all to be possessed with ; that is, each to take 
heed to ourselves. Here is uncertain, and 
hereafter is everlasting. We should therefore 
diligently endeavour to improve every fleet- 
ing opportunity whilst here, to secure an here- 
after of happiness. The husband a part and 
the wife a part, have each to work out (by 
diligent faithful labour) this momentous task 
of their souls salvation, and to know it going 
forward with their day of renewed visitation. 

The world is deceitful ; its friendship is 

not to be trusted ; its assistance to us, in the 
hour of distress, is vain. Religion (which 
is no other than acquainting ourselves with 
God, and witnessing the peace which results 
from that communion) is the help and orna- 
ment of life, the hope in death, and the per- 
pe uai reward of its votaries in the world to 
come. Let us be roused, my dear friend, by 



212 

the calls of the spirit, by the invitations of 
the church, by the work of the day, and by 
the necessity of the times, more and more to 
devote ourselves to the cause of Christy and 
his holy undefiled religion and way of wor- 
ship of God, and of walking before men, 
which the blessed Author established on earth 
by his precepts and visible example ; and 
which (after a long night of apostacy) our 
fore-fathers, in the last century, were raised 
and enabled by power on high, most nobly, 
firmly and faithfully to revive and maintain* 
Great and lamentable is the declension and 
blindness which has happened in our time, 
to the successors of those honourable wor- 
thies, professors of the same everlasting pre- 
cious faith. Our city is not only closely 
besieged by enemies from without, but there 
are virulent enemies, hostile confederacies, 
deceitful allies, and weak defenders, even 
within the verge of its walls. The head (the 
skill and understanding) is in a great degree 
sick ; and the heart (the courage and zeal) is 
faint. May the consideration of these things 
sink deep into our souls, and take root there ; 
let it cover our minds in secret, as sackcloth 
within upon our flesh. Being dipped into 
sympathy with the seed under oppression, and 



: 



213 



dwelling in the house of mourning therewith, 
we shall witness our hearts made better, our 
inward man to be strengthened, and an offering 
prepared in us, which will be a sacrifice of a* 
tonement for past delinquencies, and an obla- 
tion acceptable in the sight of God. To his 
holy keeping I heartily commend thee, and to 
the visits of his quickening grace and good 
spirit. May it be the main employment of our 
lives, to seek to dwell under the renewed in- 
fluence of it ! 

LETTER XCh 

30th of 10th Mo. 1768. 

I RECEIVE, with much satisfaction, the 
account of the increase of thy family. May 
there be increase of pure fear and diligent 
waiting for the sense of divine favour ; so 
there will be an increase of that blessing 
which maketh rich in faith, and abounding in 
good works. If there be any earnest desire 
for our own preservation, if any anxious con- 
cern for the Christian cause, if any humble 
willingness and care to make some return for 
all the favours of our common benefactor, 
this day calls for the dedication of all to him 
who has given us all that is good, and is over 



214 

all, blessed in himself, and the source of all 
our blessings, now and for ever. 

LETTER XCII. 

4th of 4th Mo. 1769. 

I NOTE thy incertitude about settling, 
and that thy desire is to be directed aright. 
Human projects and prospects formed by the 
best share of mere reason are very fallacious ; 
and who expects or looks for any better di- 
rection in matters of such a nature ? Too 
few indeed have a right to expect any better : 
and yet my belief is, that if we were so happy 
as to be enabled to be inward enough in our 
minds, we should be favoured with a sense of 
what we ought to do and leave undone, in 
affairs which seem (many of them) rather of a 
temporal than spiritual nature : as the great 
apostle says, " He that is spiritual judgeth all 
"things." I wish for thee, dear friend, and 
for thy brother to grow in this spirit- 
ual life ; that as divine Providence has blest 
you with the affluence of the good things of 
this world, we may deeply ponder how the re- 
sidue of the few, fleeting, uncertain moments 
may be best employed, so as to possess sweet 
peace while here, and insure an eternity of un- 
interrupted happiness hereafter. We are not 



215 

all called to one office ; nor placed in one par- 
ticular station in the body ; but we are all 
called to that life of simplicity, self-denial, 
plainness, humility, and holiness, of which the 
great Author of Christianity set us and left us 
an example ; and having felt of the virtue 
which proceeds from an union with him, we 
are called to shew forth an example of his 
nature by our conduct amongst our brethren 
and sisters, the great fraternity of mankind, 
where ever we converse among them. — The 
greatest part (I suppose) of thy juvenile days 
has been spent among a numerous acquaint- 
ance in : thy good sense and active na- 
tural understanding have doubtless influenced 
thee to remark the beginnings, the lives, and 
the ends of divers of them, and thou hast said 
in thy heart, the religious man alone is happy. 
According to my best sense # * is the place 
for thee, or its neighborhood, to spend the 
most of thy future days in : and may our com- 
mon gracious Parent so reduce thee by his 
power, so fit thee by his wisdom, so furnish 
thee by his strength, that thy latter days, as 
well as mine, may be better than the former 
part of our'lives, more steadily feeling after 
good, more plentifully enjoying it, and more 
diffusely spreading the influence of it ! 



216 



LETTER XCIII. 

7th Mo. 1769. 

BY good education and good example they 
may become very valuable members of socie- 
ty, and reflect honour upon us all. But if the 
seeds of pride and vanity, if indifference and 
insensibility about the most important mat- 
ters be cherished, instead of being carefully 
watched and picked out, they may miscarry 
in the primary and essential points, as 'tis to 
be feared others have done before them ; and 
then, what signify all the riches and grandeur 
of this fading, transitory life ? <fc What will it 
" profit a man if he gain the whole world and 
" lose his own soul ?" Children in general 
(and children of such promising parts in par- 
ticular) are a very important, arduous charge ; 
the subjects of solicitous, weighty care ; a for- 
cible momento to us to be living, powerful 
lessons of example to them ; co-inciding, and 
co-operating with the precepts, cautions and 
restraints, which as we steadily and singly 
wait for it, the Author of all our right abili- 
ties may be pleased to furnish us with wis- 
dom to administer, in their place and season. 
Even the heathen poet was sensible of the for- 



217 

cible effect of example on children, when he 
says, " Maxima debetur pueris re^erentta.^ 

LETTER XCIV. 

8th Mo. 1769. 

I HAVE many warm wishes for some of 
children ; they are near and dear to me. 



Indeed I cannot help rejoicing at times, at the 
beautiful prospect there is even among my 
own acquaintance, and within that (compara- 
tively) narrow circle of a number of devoted 
youth, who are caught in the gospel-net, 
whose eyes growing dim as to the splendour 
and gaiety of this world, who have been hap- 
pily enamoured of sovereign beauty and ex- 
cellence, and have in their hearts chosen that 
good part, which I heartily pray may never 
be taken (by the adversary or his agents) 
from them. 

LETTER XCV. 

9th Mo. 1769. 

I MAKE no doubt but thou hast had thv 
head, heart, and hands much engaged about 

our friend 's troubles. We could not be 

unconcerned in a matter so affecting to a fa- 

T 



218 

mily, for whom we entertain a particular re- 
gard. We owe him the sympathy of our 
spirits ; and for ourselves w r e may extract in- 
struction and caution from his misfortune. — 
There is teaching in it. This world is fluc- 
tuating and unstable, and its riches uncertain 

and perishing. It is but a passage for us to 

another country, which is unchangeable, and 
where our lot will be fixed and permanent. — 
Great then certainly should be our care, that 
we travel steadily in the right road, which 
leads to perpetual happiness ; and that we lay 
up for ourselves treasures which wax not old, 
and riches which admit not of fortuitous di- 
minution, or decay. These, or such like I 
doubt not, are the solid reflections which thou 
hast often had occasion to make, on observ- 
ing many events of this kind. May they 
all work together for good to our afflicted 
friends, and to us who bear a part in their 
affliction. 

LETTER XCVI. 

2d Mo. 1770. 

HOW my poor mind delights to see the 
children of the heavenly Father coming for- 
ward in the experience of his love ; bowing 



219 

under his refining, purging power, and sub- 
mitting their necks to the yoke of Christ ! — 
Some such I think we have in this village, to 
my great consolation in the midst of a variety 
of distress which I have to pass through, and 
with these I have near unity and fellowship ; 
indeed, my dear friend, where there is not 
something of this savour to be felt, conversa- 
tion and company is to me often very insipid. 
When I had the pleasure of being under thy 
hospitable roof, there did not open much way 
for converse of this sort ; nevertheless, I 
could not but, with particular satisfaction, ob- 
serve^ thy willingness to dedicate thy abilities 
to the service of the church there. I aril 
glad thereat, because I believe it to be an ac- 
ceptable sacrifice, when we offer and render 
up our best, though the best seems to us of lit- 
tle value. Let us continue, dear friend, to 
hold ourselves ready to do any little service 
which may be required of us : let us diligent- 
ly wait, and fervently pray for wisdom, that 
wc may ever be preserved, doing all we can, 
in our little sphere of action, for the truth, 
and nothing against it : that so we may ob- 
tain the blessing, which alone can sweeten 
the cup of life, and even takes away the bitter 
from the cup of death. 



220 



LETTER XCVII. 

3d Mo. 1770. 
I DON'T love dealing in hyperboles uhen 
I am about writing sober sense in prose ; and 
besides I know that it is not politic to be too 

lavish in commendation. is near my 

heart in my best seasons : she bends to the 
root of life, and is engaged to make a sacri- 
fice of one little thing after another, sacrifices 
which do not cost her nought ; but which are 
made in the cross to the natural inclination, 
and however trivial or unnecessary they may 
seem to some, are accepted of him by whom 
our actions are weighed. O these little fox- 
es ; what prejudice they do to the tender 
vines ! Be it our care, my dear friend, to take 
them, to lay our hand upon them when we 
see them in ourselves and families ; for they 
have done much hurt in the vineyard. We 
see none of those who suffer and indulge 
them, come forward in strength and goodly 
stature, bearing fruit to the praise of the 
good Husbandman, and the help and edifica- 
tion of others : but as empty vines bringing 
forth fruit to themselves, to whom cannot be 



221 

applied that encouraging expression of the 
apostles, ye have your fruit unto holiness, 
and the end everlasting life* 



LETTER XCVIIL 

5th Mo. 1770. 

PEOPLE are too apt to dwell upon the dis- 
agreeable part of a character ; they do not make 
sufficient allowance for difference of humour, 
temper, opinion, &x. — Too many are not sat- 
isfied with feeding on this serpent's meat 
themselves, but they hand of it to others : 
the wife often, for want of better conversa- 
tion, gives of it to the husband ; he to his 
associates ; and so the sweet harmony of good 
neighborhood is spoiled ; there is no cordi- 
ality of affection ; and the friendship is only 
nominal, (concordia discors.J — The precious 
truth, which is the panacea of human life, is 
the only effectual remedy for this evil ; as it 
prevails in the mind, it teaches (and qualifies 
too) to love as brethren. May this root of 
life eternal life, my dear friend, more and 
more fasten in the ground of our hearts. We 
shall now in the meridian, and if we live to 
the decline of life, we shall still find this our 
best and surest support. Our ever swerving 

t 2 



a 



22 



from it was the original cause of our past 
errors, and the troublesome consequences 
which attend them. On our regaining it de- 
pends our present, and the earnest of our fu- 
ture real, happiness. 

LETTER XCIX. 

6th Mo. 1770. 

i WAS glad to hear that ye got something 
done with those litigious people at -. Per- 
haps if the root of bitterness be not entirely 
eradicated, yet what is left may die in the 
ground. Cut a thing often down when it 
springs up, and it weakens its very root, and 
at last it decavs. However the less thanks 
to them who will not help themselves ; who 
bind heavy burdens upon others, and will not 
lend a finger to remove them ; the less they 
will feel in themselves of the blessing which 
attends peace, and the conciliators of peace. 
Indeed I think it a happy circumstance, that 
there is no more litigation than there is, 
among those who profess with us ; so few 
have about them the healing virtue which is 
most efficacious in these disorders ; because 
so few press through the crowd of opposing 
things, with humility and faith to touch the 



223- 

lowest skirt of his garment, from whom vir- 
tue proceeds. I lament, dear friend, that a 
cause of the greatest importance to mankind, 
should be so voluntarily deserted by many 
to whom the Almighty has been manifold in 
his liberality, whose situation and whose 
talents, properly disciplined and sanctified, 
might render them serviceable in the church 
of Christ, while they are vilely prostituted to 
the world ; at the same time that a multitude 
sit down contented with a bare profession of 
belonging to a society, whose principles they 
are very little acquainted with, and to whose 
fame and character (which should be bright 
and illustrious among the nations) they add 
very little, if they take not away very much 
from it by their visible conduct. Yet, thanks 
to the merciful Creator ! who has not wholly 
repudiated his people, though they have in 
the general suffered themselves to be defiled 
by other- lovers ; there are to my certain 
knowledge (and I rejoice in the prospect of it) 
divers up and down, whose names are re- 
spectable among men, who yet have given up 
these names to serve as volunteers on the 
side, and under the banner of Christ. I know 
upon what ground I speak it. Though sepa- 
rated in body from some of them, I am not so 



224 

in spirit. In my hours of retirement I have re- 
peatedly found them, and thee also, my dear 
friend, among them. I speak not only of 
past, but of late feelings. Some indeed have 
not advanced with that steady pace which be- 
comes those who rank with the Lord's host, 
and wear his eternal badge : they have re- 
ceived of his bounty, and said they would en- 
list in his service; but not being frequent 
enough among their fellow-soldiers, nor suf- 
ficiently observing their Captain, and keeping 
near the standard, they have halted (as be- 
tween two opinions) fallen back, and lost 
ground : so came not forward in the service 
which was designed, for want of learning the 
exercise and discipline at home, and meeting 
frequently with their fellows in rank abroad. 
" Felix quern faciunt aliena pericula cautum." 

LETTER C. 

9th Mo. 1770. 

I FEEL a nearness which words cannot 
fully set forth, and which I believe would not 
be felt, if we were not in measure preserved 
to be near the truth. The Lord grant that 
it may ever be the bond of our fellowship, 
and then our friendship will not be only nom- 



225 

inal and worldly, but we may be of use and 
strength- to each other in some of the conflicts 
which belong to this difficult, dangerous state 
of existence ; and many indeed are the con- 
flicts and besetments which appertain to it. 
Our own safe stepping, and the preservation 
of our families, much depend upon keeping 
near their chiefest good ; then a wider circle, 
the welfare of the Christian society, of which 
we are members ; and a farther anxious con- 
cern for the happiness of our brethren and 
sisters, the whole race of mankind the world 
over, to whom we are very closely allied ; be- 
ing all made of one blood by the same great 
hand. Too many spend little thought about 
these arduous engagements and relative du- 
ties ; but for my part, I think it is highly be- 
coming a rational mind to look forward to- 
wards a future existence, and labour diligent- 
ly after obtaining an evidence, an earnest of 
an inheritance everlasting, incorruptible, and 
full of glory ; seeing that our stay here is so 
short, so uncertain, and attended with man- 
ifold troubles. 



226 



LETTER CI. 

ioth Mo. irro. 
HEALTH is an invaluable blessing ; yet 
even the want of it has its use. By that (or 
rather for that) we are deeply bound in grati- 
tude to the Giver of every good and perfect 
gift : by this we are deeply humbled under a 
sense of the weakness and misery to which 
our nature is liable, and we feel a necessity to 
prostrate ourselves in humble application to 
him, in whom is all sufficient help. I hear 

since thy last, that poor has made his 

exit. These documents (as thou justly re- 
marks) should quicken our attention to a 
timely preparation. Indeed there is mani- 
fold wisdom in the frequent contemplation of 
this great event : it helps to humble, to re- 
scind the too great luxuriance of a sportive 
imagination, to form in us a right compara- 
tive estimation of the present and the future, 
to wean our attachment from a place, where 
we are to have so short and uncertain a resi- 
dence, and incite us diligently to seek for an 
earnest, a well grounded hope, an assurance 
of an inheritance among the saints in light. 



. 



227 



LETTER CIL 

llth Mo. 1770. 

SINCE I received thine, I have attended 
the national meeting, and from what I expe- 
rienced in sundry of the sittings thereof, am 
still more confirmed in sentiment, that the 
glory, life, power (or by whatever name we 
mav call that which was wont to overshadow 
the assemblies of our predecessors) has great- 
ly departed from us, collectively considered 
in this day. It is a reflection which should 
cover our spirits with mourning ; for no na- 
tion, or people, or individual person, can 
suffer a more intimate loss, than the loss of 
divine favour. It should also deeply engage 
such of us as have been mercifully preserved, 
yet to feel some little stirrings of life, to 
cherish, with all diligence, this precious 
sense, that it may more and more increase 
in our hearts ; and by its spreading, expand- 
ing nature, catch hold of our nearest connec- 
tions, and kindle still more widely the sacred 
flame. As long as we are a church militant, 
there will be, as there have been, wrong spi- 
rits to conflict withal. It needs must be, that 
offences come. But by these encounters ma- 



228 

ny virtues and ornaments of the Christian 
church (the Lamb's wife) are manifestly 
exercised; wisdom, temperance, meekness, 
patience, long-suffering, &c. Oh, 'tis much 
to be lamented, that there is such a declensi- 
on from the spirit, and life and power of 
Christianity, in those called to revive the 
profession of it, in life, and spirit and power. 
My soul mourns deeply over the cause, be- 
cause it is the cause of Christ Jesus ; a cause 
which rightly adhered to and rightly propa- 
gated among mankind, would pull down the 
kingdom of satan, release from his unmerciful 
yoke, which deluded mortals foolishly and 
servilely wear, and make them inexpressibly 
happy, both in this world, and that which is 
to come. It is with pleasure, my dear 
friend, that I find my mind free to converse 
with thee on these subjects. It is a demon- 
stration to me, that thy heart is in a good 
measure offered willingly to the service of the 
day. If there have been too many years of 
inattention, let the time past be sufficient ; 
and by diligent waiting and frequent retire- 
ment, let the latter growth be strong, vigor- 
ous, and lasting. Feeling, from time to 
time, after that power which causes a fresh 
dedication of all, thou Milt not only witness a 



229 

getting dominion over these weaknesses and 
foibles which have too easily beset, and a 
growing in the saving experience of good, but 
thy inward peace and domestic happiness will 
be also increased by seeing the spreading of 
the same divine virtue in thy family ; and 
those who by the ties of nature and blood are 
near, will be made still nearer and dearer by 
the bond of a spiritual relationship. 

LETTER CIIL 

6th Mo. 1771. 

HE lies composed at present, often 

lifts up his hands, and waits the appointed 
time 'till the great change comes. Indeed 
the angel of death seems near his couch, but 
the angel of the divine presence attends like- 
wise in this last and sharpest trial. 'Tis 
good to be near him, because divine goodness 
is near him also. How long it may please 
the great Creator, that his excellent spirit 
shall continue in his poor emaciated body, I 
know not, but it looks as if it would not be 
many days. 



W 



230 



LETTER CIV. 

llth Mo. 1771. 
I HOPE this will find thee safe arrived 
at home, and that home has an agreeable rel- 
ish after thy long peregrination : it is one of 
the advantages that accrues from travelling, 
that we return with a renovation of keen ap- 
petite for our domestic satisfactions. Indeed 
it is great cause of thankfulness to him that 
sitteth the solitary in families, that some of 
us enjoy these satisfactions in so great a de- 
gree. I wish we may be enabled more and 
more to devote ourselves, and all that apper- 
tains to us, to the service of the cause of 
Truth in our generation, remembering, ev- 
ery now and then, the station to which the 
church hath appointed us, and suffering this 
remembrance to be as a stay to our natural vi- 
vacity ; that by the inwardness of our spirits 
we may at the same time witness a growth 
in wisdom, strength, and experience, and 
live and walk lively examples and savoury 
documents to others. This will make much 
for our peace in the midst of the troubles 
which we must expect to meet with here, 
and for our preparation to have admission 
some where, any where, within the gates of 



231 

that kingdom where the wicked cease from 
troubling, and the weary are at rest. 

LETTER CV. 

12th Mo. 1771. 

ALAS ! my friend, this is a day of weak- 
ness and distress, a day of stripping and fa- 
mine. It greatly behooves us to gird up the 
loins of our minds and be sober ; that if the 
Master shall please to bid us do any thing in 
his house, we may be ready to do it, and 
thereby obtain his approbation, which is of 
more value than the smiles and favour of un- 
stable men. For my part, I think it is dis- 
reputable (humanly speaking) to be indiffer- 
ent in, or desert, or betray a good cause, 
which we have avowed and confederated 
with others to support and maintain : there 
is something very mean and ignoble in being- 
false to one's trust, and deceiving one's as- 
sociates whh whom we have been linked 
together by sacred and solemn ties. But 
when this cause is no less than that of Chris- 
tianity itself, the shewing it forth by its fruits 
in our lives and conversations, and the 
spreading of it among men, through the qua- 
lifications of the spirit ; as it is of the highest 
importance to be faithful to it, for our own 



232 

sakes and the sakes of others, so it is of the 
most dangerous consequence to act against it. 
* 4 For verily I say unto you, 'till heaven and 
M earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no 
" wise pass from the law 'till all be fulfilled. 
#t Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of 
44 these least commandments, and shall teach 
44 men so, he shall be called the least in the 
44 kingdom of heaven : but whosoever shall 
44 do and teach them (here is conduct and 
,; preaching united) the same shall be called 
M great in the kingdom of heaven." 

LETTER CVI. 

THUS one after another we are overtaken 
by some messenger sent to summon us from 
time to eternity ! happy those who, keeping 
straight accounts with their Maker, witness- 
ing daily the debt incurred by their trespasses, 
to be cancelled by his mercy, in and through 
his beloved son, and his judgments, are in 
readiness to obey the summons. Pain of 
body surely is enough for the poor creature to 
struggle with. May we in that hour, dear 
friend, feel peace of mind, that peace which 
results from the consciousness of a life de- 
voted not to serve ourselves only, but pi inci- 



233 

pally to the cause of religion, which in the 
end will be found to stand ail her votaries in 
best and most effectual stead. A friend in 
need, is a friend indeed. 

LETTER CVII. 

10th Mo. 1772. 

INDEED we are on manifold accounts 

debtors to our great Benefactor, and this 

query we should often know to pass through 

us, " Say, what shall we render to him for all 

44 his benefits ?" and as this enquiry is made 

in sincerity, we shall be likely to see and feel 

what he calls for in return at our hands : and 

this, my dear friend, will be found to be no 

less than our all. Our very existence ; that 

tliis existence is not wretched and miserable 

with pain and trouble here, that we have 

comfortable and endearing connections of 

natural and spiritual fellowship ; that we have 

the means of decent and reputable, support 

for ourselves and families, and that if happily 

we are favoured to feel and feed upon any 

thing of a divine and super-natural kind, 

which enables us to rub through the dangers 

and difficulties of this troublesome, uncertain 

life, and gives a gladdening hope of a joyful 

u2 - 



1:34 

eternity ; all these are owing to the special 
grace and mere unmerited favour of our Cre- 
ator, upon whose providence as We entirely 
depend, so it is our duty and true interest to 
resign and dedicate all, body, soul and spirit, 
time and talents, to him and his service, as 
in the course of his wisdom, and holy coun- 
sel, he shall call for them from us. There is 
(in the confirmed apprehension of several) a 
visitation, an invitation to the youth. Some 
seem to have embraced it, and to seek after 
the renew in gs of it upon their minds (without 
which they are not likely to retain it savingly 
in their knowledge :) others bow down their 
heads as a bull- rush, under the forcible 
weight of the copious gospel shower descend- 
ing from the instrumental vehicles of the 
clouds, and anon raise them again to look 
about at the states of others, or at the delu- 
sive splendors of a vain, deceitful world, to 
their hurt and hindrance : and there are (it's 
to be feared) of such visited youth, who have 
in their hearts departed from the sense of it, 
*nd returned like the dog to his vomit, or the 
sow that had been washed, to wallow in the 
mire. While I thus write, it has been repeat- 
edly shewn me, how carefully we, who have ar- 
rived at the summit of the stage of consptcu- 



235 

ous action, and are seen in our several 
spheres, ought to handle the law and the tes- 
timony : how careful we should be to let our 
conduct and conversation shine instructively 
before all, that we may not by any lightness 
(to which a constitutional vivacity may bias 
us (give a kind of sanction, or encouragement 
to such as are unsteadily sliding off the foun- 
dation of inward conviction and chastening 
judgment in their own minds : for indeed in 
my apprehension, the want of patiently learn- 
ing these first rudiments of religion, is the 
grand cause why we have so few good scho- 
lars in the school of Christ. 

LETTER CVIIL 

1st Mo. 1771. 

'TIS true his ( 's father) uniformly 

well-spent life, must afford him on the re- 
trospection, a conscious satisfaction; audi 
believe he has the purest and best consola- 
tions, in as great degree and frequency as 
most men, yet he finds pain of body hard to 
bear, and when the strength and flesh fail* 
and the gloomy path is begun to be trod* 
nature shrinks at the approach of the final de- 
struction of all that is visible, and the best 



236 

have occasion for all their best support t© 
stand the shock, undaunted. What then 
must the loose, the vain, the libertines, who 
have given the lie by their conduct and con- 
versation to a high and holy profession, feel 
in that day and hour, when they have no 
oil in their lamps, no treasure in store against 
that pinching time ? 

LETTER CIX. 

7th Mo. 1771. 

HE ( -'s father) lived in watchful fear 

and circumspection : he died in a holy con- 
fidence, triumphing over death and hell, and 
yielding only that which was mortal and per- 
ishable to the grave. The last words which 
he was heard to utter (and that only a short 
time before his departure) were expressive of 
the help and comfort which he felt in the last 
extremity. And when nature could not pro- 
duce intelligible words, his motion and ges- 
ture (well known to his intimates) were such 
as he was wont to use when his spirit was 
raised in the dominion of the seed of life. 
Since his translation, I feel to myself exceed- 
ingly weak, sometimes greatly affected at this 
final separation, at other times more cheerful, 



237 

and thankful for the many domestic comforts 
remaining. 

LETTER CX. 

6th Mo. 1772. 

I DOUBT not but some of you wish for 

his ( ) return ; but am also of opinion, 

that besides the good accruing to them with 
whom he is present, by his presence, advan- 
tages may also accrue to you, from whom he 
is absent, by his absence. If you do not feel 
your strength, ye feel your weakness, and 
from this sense of want, and the uncertainty 
of instrumental aid, I trust ye look with anx- 
ious solicitude to him who sees in secret, 
and is the only sure effectual help and supply 
of his people. 

LETTER CXI. 

12th Mo. 1771. 

CHANGE is the condition of our nature 
and place ; and the support and consolation 
which is alone sufficient to give firmness to 
our spirits, and bear them up through and 
over all the changes which may await us, is 
the blessed and unchangeable Truth ; which 



238 



whoever in honest simplicity adheres unto, he 
or she may pass through good report, or evil 
report, may be cried up, or cried down, may 
please or displease, in the estimation of 
changeable mortals ; but the present and fu- 
ture reward of such, is and will be sure : 
even that substantial peace which the world 
is not able to give, by all its gratifications and 
smiles ; nor to take away by its persecutions 
and frowns. And whoever departs, in heart, 
from this blessed principle of Truth, and ma- 
keth flesh (or these reasonings and schemes 
which belong to flesh) his confidence, how- 
ever he may be censured or commended by 
short-sighted men, who judge from outward 
appearances, and see not the heart ; yet such 
in that state are not under the divine approba- 
tion, but displeasure ; and their end, without 
repentance, will be miserable. I wish you 
all may be disposed to make choice of the 
good part : I am persuaded if that was gene- 
rally the case with you, a fountain would be 
opened in your family, to wash and to bathe 
in, to drink and be refreshed at, to your ge- 
neral joy and gladness ; for the good- will of 
heaven has, I believe, hovered over you, with 
blessings ready to be poured into your hearts, 
if prepared to receive them. And as to you, 



25* 

the elder children of so highly-favoured a fa- 
mily, on whose account my solemn offerings 
have been often made, what can I say to you, 
which you do not know ? ye have not wanted 
for clear discoveries of duty ; ye have been 
favoured both with instruction and correc- 
tion ; by the same powerful touch of a di- 
vine finger, ye have conceived a disrelish for 
the vain, unsubstantial gratifications of the 
world, and a relish for those solid comforts 
which are in the precious Truth. For the 
sake of your own standing and growth in 
that which is good ; for the sake of the pow- 
erful efficacy and influence of good example 
within your sphere of action, I beseech you, 
my beloved friends, above all things, culti- 
vate the gracious visitations, which ye have 
aforetime experienced, by frequent retire- 
ment, and therein diligently seek after a re- 
newal thereof upon your spirits. Avoid, as 
much as in you lies, every thing which ye 
find to unfit you for this holy commerce, and 
let it be your principal watch and care to 
keep the vessel clean (no matter how empty) 
which receives (when it pleases infinite wis- 
dom to communicate it) that most excellent 
treasure, the joy of God's salvation. 



240 



LETTER CXII. 

2d Mo. 1779. 
MANY changes happen in the course of 
time. Nature in every, part of it, within us 
and without us, is subject to change. There 
is one principle of a spiritual kind, which 
changeth not, neither vvaxeth old, nor decay - 
eth. Our spirits would do well to lay hold 
on it, to be leavened, regulated and guided 
by it. We shall find no friend, no helper, 
no counsellor like it here, to steer us, to sus- 
tain us through the perils and difficulties of 
this life ; pilot us safe through the dreadful 
gulph, terrible to human nature, and launch 
us into that illimitable ocean of happiness 
which knows no shores. 



LETTER CXIIL 

12th I\!o. 1779. 

WHAT more is to be expected by any 
of us in this life, than an alternative of agree- 
able and disagreeable occurrences ? Winds 
and tempests purify the atmosphere ; snow 
and frost fructify the land, Let us then, in 



241 

the day of adversity, adopt die language of 
the psalmist (57. i.) and in the intervals of 
tranquility, with which our merciful Creator 
is pleased to favour us, let us make good use 
of the present quiet and composure allotted* 
to cultivate, to renew, to strengthen our ac- 
quaintance with the omnipotent Author of all 
that is good : so shall prosperity, as well as 
adversity, be sanctified to us, and equally 
contribute to the consolidating of our present 
peace, and ensuring of our future happiness. 

LETTER CXIV. 

1779.. 

MY mind is, at times, deeply bowed in 
thankfulness; but I feel that tranquility and 
all these lower enjoyments are exceedingly 
uncertain ; they have also their alloy. May 
we be then like-minded with the royal psalm- 
ist, " One thing have I desired of the Lord, 
" that will I seek after, that 1 may dwell in 
" the house of the Lord all the days of my 
"life; to behold the beauty of the Lord, 
" and to enquire in his temple. For in the 
" time of trouble, he shall hide me in his 
•" pavilion ; in the secret of his tabernacle, 

x 



242 

" shall he hide me ; he shall set me upon a 
" rock," &c. 

LETTER CXV. 

9th Mo. 1770. 
THOU knowest, my dear friend, that re- 
ligious growth does not consist in writing and 
speaking on religious subjects : it consists in 

the divine life prevailing in our minds. 

Poverty of spirit is the plain decent every-day 
cloathing which properly belongs to, and be- 
comes the Christian man. This cloathing 
makes us appear comely in the sight of the 
Master and of spiritual men. When his fol- 
lowers patiently wear this garment, and keep 
it unspotted from the world, in his own time 
(which they will find to be the best) he will ar- 
ray them with robes of righteousness, and 
garments of praise. But then they must be 
stripped again of these which are the Lord's 
ornaments, and possessing their souls in pa- 
tience, must contentedly put on their old 
raiment, the ordinary livery of the master's 
servants. Hence is seen the propriety of 
that expression of his to his disciples ; " The 
" poor ye have always wich you, but me ye 
" have not always." Had there not been a 



243 

word on this solemn subject in thy letter, it 
would have been very welcome to me, be- 
cause I know thy time to mention that sub- 
ject is not always ready. What I was desir- 
ous of was, that, whether absent or present, 
there might still be kept open a door of free 
communication of sentiments on these mat- 
ters between us, by which some good might, 
and I think no evil could, enter. I can say of 
a truth, that fervent and renewed have been 
my desires and petitions on thy behalf, since 
I wrote last, and I trust thy conflicts and be- 
setments, thy sense of thy own weakness, 
and of thy lack of best wisdom, thy indispo- 
sition of body, thy feebleness of mind, will all 
work together for good. Certainly the good 
will of the Almighty Benefactor is towards 
thee, and good and gracious are his designs 
upon thee. Else, why should my poor spirit 
be so often dipped into sympathy with thee, 
and such petitions be formed in travail in the 
deeps, on thy account ? Oh ! be faithful to 
the discoveries of the light which maketh ma* 
nifest, and to the requirings of duty in the 
day of small things, and great will be thy 
peace, and glorious thy reward ; such as 
M Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath 
" it entered, or can enter, into the heart of 



244 



M the natural man to conceive." Do not be 
restless, uneasy and impatient, to quit thy 
place of probation and present trial ; but ra- 
ther use the more diligence (in proportion to 
the dangers and difficulties of thy situation) 
in seeking for inward strength and wisdom 
to be enabled to acquit thyself acceptably in 
the sight of heaven. Remember wherever 
we are, it is by the appointment, or permis- 
sion of all- wise Providence, who sees both us 
and our engagements. It is not the way to 
gather strength of mind, to endeavour to fly 
in our own wills, from the field of labour 

and battle. Let us stand our ground, keep 

close to the standard of Truth ; if we cannot 
put an enemy to flight, let us however not 
flinch ourselves, but openly declare and shew 
on what side we are ; on the side of him who 
was never foiled in battle. Thus, dear friend, 
thou wilt grow stronger and stronger, and 
feel " The peace which passeth all (rational) 
'* understanding," to flow as a mighty stream 
in thy soul, -bearing down before it all the lit- 
tle, trifling, hindering things, and thou wilt be 
able (as thou art faithful and obedient) to en- 
counter things of greater moment and diffi- 
culty, with honour and success. So, in the 
love of our Holy Head, I affectionately salute 



245 

thee, and commit thee, with my own soul, to 
his divine protection. 

LETTER CXVI. 

9th Mo. 1776. 

IF these means of intercourse between us 
were not used, still I trust the root of friend- 
ship lives in our minds. I know in my best 
seasons, it produces good desires and peti- 
tions for my beloved friend. Then, when 
Truth at the same time expands and pros- 
trates the heart, my prayers are for thee, that 
thou mayst submit to the operation of that 
power which reduces, changes, and forms; 
that thou mayst give up all with an unreserv- 
ed dedication, and simply be what the Lord 
would have thee to be. Long has he contin- 
ued his favour to thee ; frequent and power- 
ful have been his visitations. Time flies on 
with unremitting speed ; the end of all things 
approaches. Happy will it be for those who 
have here, in all humility, received the Truth 
in the love of it, have bowed their necks to it's 
yoke, and have not been ashamed to confess 
Christ in his lowly appearances before men; 
such will reign with him triumphantly in an 
eternity of joy. May that, my dear friend, 

x 2 



246 

be thy state and experience now ; and this, 
thy portion for ever ! 

LETTER CXVIL 

ioth Mo. 1786. 

MAN was formed and designed by his 
Creator for religious, as well as civil society. 
The spirits of the well-minded, met together, 
aid one another, and a joint labour more rea- 
dily opens the spring, which is much choak- 
ed up by formal, lifeless, lukewarm, as well 
as libertine, professors in our society. Be- 
sides, it is the will of the common Father of 
his people, that his children shall, at stated 
seasons, present themselves before him in a 
general way, though satan should come also 
among them ; though in this mixed state of 
things, the spirit of antichrist in a mystery 
should bear rule, and prevail to spread a 
cloud over the assembly ; yet is this enemy 
often rebuked, and the cloud known to be 
dissipated, and the visited children made to 
rejoice together, under the precious influence 
of unmixed good. 

Of what use is thy over-much thoughtful- 
ness ? Or thy looking too far before thee ? 
It would be as well for thee, I believe, if thou 



247 

wert, in some respects, near-sighted, like my- 
self. We are creatures, as of a moment, and 
should still endeavour to make the best use of 
the present moment, which only is ours ; do- 
ing in prudence and moderation what is in 
our power, humbly dependant on the Author 
of the existence of our souls and bodies, for 
his daily supply to both. 



LETTER CXVIII. 

I DO not wonder at worldly pleasures, 
worldly profits, and worldly splendor captiva- 
ting the minds of youth ; they see objects thro' 
and a false medium. Nothing less than a great 
supernatural power can change our vile affec- 
tions, and nothing less than the renewings of 
the same power can preserve them right, when 
so changed. A sense of this made David 
cry out, " Create in me a clean heart, and 
l$ renew a right spirit within me." And the 
apostle Paul most beautifully expresses — 
According to his mercy he saved us, by the 
washing of regeneration and renewing of 
the holy ghost." This renewing then is 
what we have to wait to experience. This 
transformation from the spirit of the world in- 



248 

to the divine image, must be effected and 
continued by the renewing of the mind, 

LETTER CXIX. 

MAY every feeble effort, and aspiration af- 
ter the right thing, grow and gather strength 
in every one ; that not one grain of the pre- 
cious seed of the kingdom may be lost, or 
unimproved ; for surely nothing is of equal 
value with the visitation of heaven ; it is in- 
deed the breath of life, by which man becomes 
a living soul. 

I am persuaded thou art diligent in improv- 
ing thy own stock ; though not making any 
ostentatious display of much trade, too often 
the prelude of disreputable failures. If thou 
holdest on in this little, low, frugal, industri- 
ous way, I shall expect to find thee rich. 

There seems to be many promising youth 
up and down, many buds and blossoms, but 
there is not produced proportionable fruit. 
The plants seem wholly of a right seed, and 
of the great and good Husbandman's right 
hand planting ; yet many of them miscarry in 
their growth ; they get out of the fertile, pene- 
trable, yielding soil, and strike their roots in- 
to a stiff hard clay ; or the branches, for want 



249 

of pruning, grow too gross and run into tim- 
ber ; or perhaps they are suffered to bear too 
much at once, while they are young. Their 
strength is exhausted, and they wither away. 

LETTER CXX. 

6th Mo. 1789. 
I AM sensible of many weaknesses and 
deficiencies attending me, and wish, for the 
sake of the most noble cause which ever ex- 
isted, that I were a more able advocate for it. 
However, if we faithfully do, according to the 
ability received, what appears to be our duty, 
though it may appear to ourselves and others 
a very little thing, we shall not want encour- 
agement and help to go forward. A little 
pure gold is far more valuable than a great 
deal of base metal. So I wish thee, beloved 
friend, to be strengthened and encouraged, 
and to love the littleness, and not think the 
day of small things long. Thou hast, I be- 
lieve under right direction, put thy hand to the 
gospel-plough : neither look back, nor too 
far before thee, nor about thee, at the spaci- 
ousness of the field of labour; but just turn 
up the furrow thou art, for the time being, 
engaged in, according to the present skill and 



250 

ability afforded. " Whatsoever thy hand 
44 findeth to do, do it with thy might,' 5 the 
present might ; and may the Lord Almighty 
bless and prosper, and increase that might, 
to the honour of his great name, to the edifi- 
cation of his church, and to thy own solid 
peace ! 

I had some agreeable feeling conversation 

with dear — , who seemed inwardly 

strengthened and supported under this fresh 
trial, which she met with, on her return home 
from about three months labour in her Mas- 
ter's service. Let us mark the economy of 
divine Providence, and his dealing with his 
faithful servants ; those that leave all for the 
gospel's sake, shall receive the " Hundred 
44 fold" (it's said) 44 now in this time," but 
44 with persecutions ;" there must be the ne- 
cessary alloy in this world , " in the world to 
44 come, eternal life." 

LETTER CXXI. 

I FIND has been, for some time past, 

very low in his mind ; yet I trust it is of 
good, and will be for his good. Great altera- 
tion indeed ! his soul, which used to be like 
a well watered- garden, now like a sandy de- 



251 

scrt ; but I believe he neither complains nor 
murmurs. Various are the dispensations 
which some have to pass through ; similar to 
those which attended the great Master. Ke 
had a long fast, forty days and forty nights, 
and was sorely tempted ; but the text says, 
" He was led up of the spirit" intt>that wil- 
derness. And if we be led by the good spi- 
rit, all will be well ; rejoicing and suffering, 
feasting and fasting are in his hand ; his visit- 
ed children, disciples and followers, have on- 
ly patiently to abide under his government, 
who leads in the way of righteousness, in the 
midst of the paths of judgment. 

LETTER CXXII. 

AS we resign ourselves to the divine pro- 
tection and ordering, by a wheel (as it were) 
within a wheel, he effects his gracious pur- 
poses concerning us, which the contumacy 
of our own wills, or the fallacy of our own 
contrivances might frustrate ; happy would it 
be for us, if we could lose our own wills in 
the will of God. The flesh profiteth nothing 
in the work of leiigion ; religion which by all 
means should he the chief concern of our 
lives, the beginning, the middle, and the end 



252 

of our pursuits and desires. Choose that good 
part, seek that first, and other things neces- 
sary will be added. 

A little lapse of time furnishes many new 
subjects of remark, and many concurring 
instances of the instability of human prosper- 
ity ; conspiring to manifest that in this world 
we shall all, in rotation, meet with trouble; 
and that there is no permanent, substantial 
happiness, but in the comforts of religion. 
Happy for those who lay the foundation of life 
on this rock, and who are preserved thereon 
through all the perils and changes which await 
this stare of existence. Thev too, in this 
world, will have their portion of trouble ; but 
that peace which passeth all conception of the 
natural man, will be their solace in the midst 
of outward affliction. I heartily wish thee, 
my clear friend, in particular, and your family 
in general, to be partakers of this hidden trea- 
sure, which I believe divers of you, both 
elder and younger, know by past experience, 
not to be a mere speculative notion, or pro- 
duct of a heated imagination ; but a substan- 
tial, sure, and certain principle, which, when 
possessed and retained, in renewed experi- 
ence, is sufficient to enable us to do and suffer 
all things as we ought. 



253 



LETTER CXXIIL 

4th Mo. 1786. 

I AM cencerned for dear - — — 's frequent 
indisposition, the case is slight and delicate ; 
may the contents, the precious contents be 
preserved in good condition, and not suffer 
any damage thereby, Our poor visible fabrics 
will be battered and hurt, and get out of re- 
pair ; they are frail and perishable ; but the 
spirit which is invisible, is eternal. May we 
often watch unto prayer, in order to be helped 
to commit and commend our own spirits and 
the spirits of one another to divine keeping 
and protection ; that so, 'when a total wreck 
shall be made of these bodies, our souls may 
be safe, concentred in everlasting happiness. 

Dear cousin 's connexions have been 

tried with affliction of body ; trouble will take 
it's rounds ; they are best off who are most 
resigned. is inured to penance, mortifi- 
cation and the cross ; this is very contrary to 
the generality of mankind ; this is far from 
sowing to the flesh ; 'tis in reality and in 
truth sowing to the spirit : may the cross 
prove the divine blessing here and hereafter, 

r 



254 

life everlasting ! The seed time (which is the 
springtime) is long with some ; the winter in- 
trudes upon it, continues long, and as it were 
unseasonably ; but let us remember who it is 
that orders the course of the seasons ; and 
we have often had to observe, that the most 
genial summers, and most fruitful harvests, 
succeed such seasons as these. Yet are not 
the Lord's children insensible of those fructi- 
fying showers which freshen, cherish and 
make prolific in this spring ; and few I be- 
lieve are more favoured that way than our 
friend. I think with me it's always winter, 
frost and rain, short days and long nights ; 
yet believing that it is by the appointment of 
him, who is Lord of the seasons, I am con- 
tent ; nay I wish for no change, but by his 
ordering. If I feel his powerful baptizing 
hand upon me, 'tis enough for me ; but with- 
out this, I am like an owl in the wilderness, 
and pelican in the desert, flat, dry, insipid. 

This hand of power, I acknowledge, I have 
at times felt since I saw thee, not only in sea- 
son (in some of our public meetings) but 
as it were out of season, on the road, on my 
bed, &,c. 



255 



LETTER CXXIV. 

-i is a pretty youth; how beautiful, 

how useful would such be, if they suffered 
the great hammer (the omnifiic word) to fall 
upon them and break them in pieces. Thou 
hast felt the strokes of this great hammer ; it 
has softened, and is fashioning thee, I trust,, 
for a vessel of honour ; yield thou unto it, 
and be passive and pliable under its influence, 
till it make thee what Infinite Wisdom would 
have thee to be, exactly both as to form and 
use. In a little time all this scene will be 
closed upon us all, our places and our ac- 
quaintance will know us, and speak of us no 
more. In the closing of this^scene, when every 
thing else shall fail, what will it be to us to 
witness the Lord to be the strength of our 
hearts, and our portion for ever. 

My beloved friend, farewel ; be humble be 
diligent, be honest ; and may the Lord Al- 
mighty delight to bless thee and comfort thee, 
and preserve thee in his fear and in his favour, 
now and for ever ! 



256 



LETTER CXXV. 

THE conversation of my dear friends, if 
happily seasoned with good, the communing 
together on the way, if the Master should gra- 
ciously please to condescend to join the com- 
pany, is pleasing and profitable indeed ; and 
in this I delight. But if no feeling friend 
should he near, no person who can converse 
in the Hebrew tougue, still the children of 
the kingdom are not at a loss ; their teacher, 
their comforter, their sure guide, and faithful 
friend is with them, and in them. 

At the select meeting at , 

came out with something so lively and sensi- 
ble, as quite delighted me ; I care not by 
what name men might call it, I was satisfied 
that it issued from a divine spring ; thanks- 
giving was not only in my heart, but on my 
tongue ; and my spirit rejoiced in comme- 
moration of that goodness, w hich followeth 
down from generation to generation : had 
thou been with us, I believe thou would 
also have been made glad. Well, my dear 
friend, I am pleased that thou ventured out 
with thy little remarks. No doubt thou ap- 
peared as a fool, so did the great Master be- 



257 

fore the scribes and pharisees and elders ; but 
this is a shame which I trust thou wilt grad- 
ually learn to despise, and be more and more 
conformable to this most excellent and per- 
fect pattern, our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ ; who, though possessed of immortal- 
ity, and dwelling in accessible light, left the 
bosom of his Father, and came down from 
the heights of his glory, for the redemption 
and restoration of fallen man. And as he 
hath loved us, so ought we to love one ano- 
ther, and all mankind in general ; not seek- 
ing our own things, and tenacious and studU 
ous of our own false delicacy and honour, 
but " Buried with him by baptism into 
" death" unto these things, that we may be 
living witnesses of his resurrection in life and 
power. 

LETTER CXXVL 

I NOTE thy state, my dear friend, poor 
enough of itself, but receiving an additional 
tinge from the poverty of the places, where 
thy temporary residence fs ; I note with sat- 
isfaction thy sensible expression, u If I be 
" idle I shall be lost," I note thy endeav- 
ours to keep up the daily sacrifice, though 

y 2 



258 

the offering may seem but small. These 
things I note, and take comfort in them, be- 
lieving that thou art an object of divine com- 
passion, and that his love and tender regard 
is towards thee. I have not since wrote, as 
thou most kindly recommends, nor heard 
from that quarter. We are poor, insufficient 
creatures ; without supernatural aid can nei- 
ther help ourselves, nor others ; and this aid 
we are patiently to wait for, and it will come 
to such in the right and best (which is the 
Lord's) time. The help intended for thee 
does not seem likely to come from province 
meetings, which thou missed being at ; but 
surer, better, more substantial, even inward, 
immediate help, I hope will be thy comforta- 
ble portion and happy experience. 

LETTER CXXVII. 

3d Mo. 1777. 
I THINK I am neither bigot, nor zealot, 
but I find that the holy scriptures, contained 
in the Old and New Testament, and the re- 
cords of the experiences, travels, and suffer- 
ings of our ancient, faithful friends, do me 
most good. My spirit hath unity with them, 
as I peruse their writings, or hear them read : 



2B9 

they tend to strengthen the root of life, and 
are made instrumental to stir up the pure 
mind. The writings of others, upon whom 
this day of the Lord has not so fully risen, 
are more in the mixture, and have a strong 
colouring of the glimmering, uncertain twi- 
light, under which their authors see religious 
matters. It looks indeed preposterous for us 
to go to them for instruction, as it would be 
for a man to have recourse to obscurity for 
more light ; yet to a mind which pants after 
the coming (L e. the advancement) of the 
reign of Christ upon earth, it affords an agree- 
able sensation, to be made witness of the 
springing up and spreading of Truth among 
those who are not yet come to a full percep- 
tion and confession of it : this was cause of 
joy to the prophet, when he could say, " The 
4t people which sat in darkness saw great 
" light, and to them which sat in the region 
" and shadow of death, light is sprung up." 

The genuine inspired writings of holy men 
we read, and ought often to read for our edi- 
fication, the productions of such as have not 
attained to so great a degree of Christian per- 
fection ; though religious men, we may also 
read for our satisfaction, keeping a diligent 
watch over our spirits, lest accumulated know- 



269 

ledge should puff us up, and remembering the 
pathetic prayer, " I thank thee, O Father, 
" Lord of heaven and earth, because thou 
" hast hid these things from the wise and pru- 
" dent, and hast revealed them unto babes; 5 ' 
and the subsequent exhortation, Ci Take my 
" yoke upon you and learn of me ; for I am 
u meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find 
" rest unto your souls ; for my yoke is easy, 

%i and my burden is light." Here is the 

Master himself teaching-, w 7 ho unites know- 
ledge and practice ; speculation, and even 
right notions of Christianity of themselves, 
are vain ; " If ye know these things, happy 
44 are ye if ye do them." Such are the pre- 
cepts of Christ, and such the spirit of Chris- 
tianity ; by their excellence, sublimity, clear- 
ness, simplicity, and comprehensive fulness, 
bearing the genuine stamp of their Divine 
Original, very different from the tedious, am- 
biguous manner of many writers on religious 
subjects, who confuse what they pretend to 
explain, and obscure what they take upon 
them to illustrate ; so that though the text is 
clear and plain, the comment is often dark 
and unintelligible* 



261 



LETTER CXXVIII. 

4th Mo. 1780. 

I Accompanied dear — — into the county 
of . I believe the prospect of his chil- 
dren's agreeable settlement, has humbled his 
heart into still lower depths of resignation, de- 
dication, and obedience, as thinking that he 
can never do enough for so gracious, so boun- 
tiful a Master. I love to see a growth in the 
Divine gift, and individuals waxing strong, 
taking firm root, increasing in the increase of 
God, and bringing forth fruit to his praise. — 
What is this world ? It is vanity and vexa- 
tion, and will soon be over ; but all things 
truly great and noble, are involved in the 
cause of God and his Christ upon earth. 

I have had some thoughts about going to 
London this year, but am not yet determined. 

I hope that at our ensuing meeting of , 

1 may be favoured with some little sense of 
what is best to be done. I should not like to 
be backward in any little help which I might 
be indued with ability to give, even in the 
smallest degree, towards carrying on this 
great and important work ; and at the same 
time I often fervently desire to be preserved 



262 

from unnecessary, forward intrusion, and 
busy meddling in matters, which, in the econ- 
omy of Infinite Wisdom, have been allotted 
to other men : I think I tun pretty much 
will-less as to this migration. 

LETTER CXXIX. 

THOU art but a poor creature of a mo- 
ment ; strive to improve the present moment, 
and be not careful about to-morrow : 'tis bad 
economy, and not the way to grow rich, to 
be still employed in speculating about the fu- 
ture, and neglect laying hold of the present 
advantages, which, rightly husbanded, open 
the way to future prosperit} r . I think thou art 
very like me in thy failings, I mean thy weak- 
nesses : my poor spirit is too apt to anticipate 
trouble ; it is like a reed shaken by the wind. 
May we be both endued with right fortitude, 
preserved looking and leaning towards Him, 
who is a present help in every needful 
time to his humble, depending children, not 
calling up to ourselves, as out of the earth, 
(raising by our own imaginations) evil which 
the Lord never created ; but relying implicitly 
on his gracious Providence, and learning 
what this meaneth, lt Sufficient for the day is 



S65 

V the evil thereof!" The opinion of people 
respecting our conduct is not to be too mi- 
nuteiy minded, nor wholly neglected. If 
they are disposed to find fault, they will do 
it, let us act as we will ; and however we 
should act, we need not expect to please all. 
Let us keep to the simplicity of Truth, watch- 
ing that we enter not into temptation, and 
praying continually that we may stand ap- 
proved in the sight of heaven, let the men of 
the earth judge as they may. 

I was a good deal indisposed in 

with a cold which I took thither, and increas- 
ed there ; however I attended (through fa- 
vour of Providence) all the meetings, and 
my ordinary duties there. Notwithstanding 
a sense of our being a greatly favoured and 
greatly depraved people, I was satisfied as to 
myself in general, having witnessed at times 
these humbling, baptizing seasons ; which I 
suppose being my highest lot, are the lot of 
my inheritance, and peculiarly proper for 
me. 

Our amiable friend appeared in the 

religious line in the meetings of worship and 
discipline in — — yesterday ; I hope well for 
her, but am not yet favoured to be a witness 
for her ; I do not therefore pretend to find 



264 

fault. Far be it from me to judge with tny 
own judgment in such weighty matters. If it 
be of the highest authority, it will not only 
stand, but grow and make its way, and pos- 
sess the gates (the judgments), of those who 
are at present perhaps rather enemies through 
prejudice and partiality. 

Farewell — be of good comfort ; he that 
careth for the sparrows doubtless cares for 
thee ; they are a numerous tribe ; we hardly 
seem to know their use in the creation, and 
yet they live by his bounty. May his mer- 
ciful regard be ever extended to thee, and 
his almighty arm be ever underneath to sup- 
port and cheer thy spirit ! This is the poor 
but sincere offering of unaltered friendship, 
and believe me thy affectionate faithful friend, 

LETTER CXXX. 

AS religious persons, we may put on a veii 
of too much delicacy : there is a shame which 
we ought to despise. We ought not only to 
be religious, but to appear so; not indeed 
making a pompous display of austerities, and 
appearing unto men to fast (which is not 
bearing the cross, but riding in an exalted 
manner upon it) but shewing forth by our 



265 

conduct, conversation, outward appearance, 
and demeanour, that we are followers of him 
who gave himself an example for us to follow. 
Some of you, the elder branches of that fa- 
mily, my beloved friends, have been visited, 
called, and chosen ; the bridegroom of souls 
hath knocked for an entrance, and wooed you 
with the most tender solicitations ; let not a 
false delicacy bolt the door against him who 
loves you, and is beloved by you, inciting you 
to make excuses ; such as "I have put off 
" my" coat, how shall I put it on ? I have 
" washed my feet, how shall I defile them ?" 
I am sure " the watchmen that went about 
" the city have often found" vou in the 
course of their service, have " smitten and 
" wounded" you with the artillery of the 
gospel ; and if now one (though of the mean- 
est) " of the keepers of the walls" (the sup- 
porters of the discipline) should be made in* 
strumental to " take away your veil" from 
you, to strip off that delicacy, and manifest to 
others that the beauty and simplicity of truth 
is next your heart ; be not ye ashamed to 
confess Christ in his lowly appearance before 
your acquaintance and others ; wear no lon- 
ger any mask, veil or disguise, but rather 

avow your sentiments, make a good profes- 

z 



266 

sion and say, "I charge you, O daughters of 
^'Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye 
-f? tell him I am sick of love." 

LETTER CXXXL 

I AM glad thy last reports thee in pretty 
good health. I hope thou continuest to en- 
deavour to preserve that invaluable bles- 
sing, a sound mind in a sound body : there is 
a strong analogy between the outward and 
inward man; the constitution of each is dif- 
ferent in different persons ; some have a stron- 
ger, and others a weaker constitution, both 
naturally and spiritually, and require a differ- 
ent treatment ; but air and exercise, food and 
physic, nourishment and abstinence, all in 
proper season, are certainly good for all. — 
Repine not then, my dear friend, if the least 
pleasing of these dispensations may be min- 
istered to thee, and according to thy estima- 
tion, be long thy portion. Thou art under a 
wise government, even, the government of 
him who doth all things right. Keep there 
and it will be enough. 

I often thought of thee while I was at , 

and did not wonder (but was pleased) that 
thou suffered with the suffering seed in that 



267 

place. There is a wrong spirit dominant 
there, which is doing much hurt ; but it 
looks as if its reign would be but short ; a 
little lapse of time will more fully manifest its 
falsity and its futility, and the solid, substan- 
tial truth, I hope, will more and more pre- 
vail. 

LETTER CXXXIL 

8th of 9th Mo. 1773: 

SINCE the short conference which we had 
together, I have several times thought of 
writing to thee, but various necessary en- 
gagements much engross my time, and leave 
very little leisure for a correspondence with 
my friends ;. however, I thought I would just 
hint to thee whaLmight, without premedita- 
tion, occur upon the subject of our last con- 
versation. I am a person of universal good 
will, and readily acknowledge that I am in a 
particular manner attached to the cause of my 
religious profession, therefore I cannot, with- 
out some concern, observe any friend of mine 
publicly desert and disavow this same cause 
which we hape jointly professed ; the only 
reason thou gave me for discontinuing to fre- 
quent our religious assemblies, as far as L 



268 



understand the reason, (viz. a private offence 
taken at some individual) is in itself so un- 
reasonable, that I cannot but look on it as on- 
ly some ostensible cause, whilst the true 
reason lies deeper, and in the secret laby- 
rinths of the mind. Search there, dear friend* 
for the original cause, and I am mistaken if 
thou wilt not find it to be a disrelish for the 
limitations and singularities which our pro- 
fession requires, and a propensity to the gran- 
deur, the pleasures, and the vanities of the 
world, which lies in ignorance and wicked* 
ness. But suffer me to expostulate with thee ; 
from what really good and useful enjoyment 
does our profession debar us ? are we not 
allowed all the conveniences and satisfactions 
of life, which the Almighty, beneficent Do- 
nor, is pleased to favour us with ? we are 
onlv restrained from the excess and abuse 
(which are known to destroy the true relish) 
of them, and to preclude those sensations of 
humble gratitude to our great Benefactor, 
which accompany a temperate, moderate use 
of his favours : and what will any of us get 
by joining in spirit, in covenant, in familiar- 
ity, with a deceitful, insincere world ? In the 
first place, we do violence to that which is of 
God, in our consciences ; we reject and cast 






269 

behind our backs, the many visitations and 
invitations which have been various ways re- 
peated, and graciously offered : we, tacitly, 
by our contrasted conduct, reproach our an- 
cestors, who lived and died in the faith, as 
deceivers and deceived ; or else we bring 
reproach on ourselves, whose lives are dia- 
metrically opposite to theirs : we greatly en- 
danger our property and our morals, by an 
intimate connexion with those, who are not 
restrained by the fear of their Creator, from 
running headlong into various vices, and 
whose pleasure and profit it is to allure others 
that are in affluent circumstances, into the 
same excess of riot (which often ends in the 
same distress and embarrassment) with them- 
selves ; by renouncing our religious profes- 
sion, and forsaking our communion, w r e aban- 
don that which is truth, and either adopt that 
which is error in its stead, or else joining 
from principle with no religious society, we 
become ensamples of irreligion, and settle in 
a profane course of life, injurious to our 
own peace, displeasing to God, and offen- 
sive to wise considerate men. Bear with me, 
dear friend, it is possibly the last time I may 
trouble thee on this head : thou art the father 
of a pretty numerous flock of children ; thou 



270 

art the successor of religious ancestors ; thou 
art come into their place and some of their 
possessions ; if thou would walk worthily and 
acceptably before the great Benefactor; who 
sees all thy secret thoughts, as well as marks 
thy words and actions, and will assuredly re- 
ward according to our works, it is (in my 
sense) highly necesssary for thee to come 
down in thy mind, and in humility and sin- 
cerity seek for divine wisdom and strength, 
that thou may be preserved safe through this 
dangerous and uncertain state of existence ; 
that thou may fill up the station in which All- 
wise Providence has placed thee, with recti- 
tude and propriety, as a man and a Christian ; 
and that thou may discharge that ponderous 
duty of a parent to thy offspring, in such a 
manner as will redound to thy own solid 
peace, and their substantial good ; that so 
when that awful period shall arrive (and how 
near it may be at hand is quite uncertain) 
when inquisition will be made into our lives 
and conduct, whether we have walked in the 
fear of our Creator, whether we have proper- 
ly and gratefully received his favours and be- 
nefits, as using and not abusing them ; and 
whether we have stood uprightly and faith- 
ful]}" in our lots, spreading and enforcing the 



271 

genuine principles and spirit of Christianity 
by our lives and conversations, and fulfilling 
every relative duty appertaining to our sta- 
tion ; that at that solemn time, and before that 
tremendous Judge, Witness and Benefactor, 
thou may have to give up thy accounts with 
joy, and not with grief; that this may be thy 
happy experience, is the sincere desire of thy 
affectionate friend. 

LETTER CXXXIII. 

18th of 4th Mo. 1755- 

HAD opportunity allowed, I should, long 
ere this, have acknowledged the receipt of 
thy affectionate lines ; though it is not easy to 
express that uniting virtue which cements the 
family together, and brings them suddenly 
into an acquaintance, and nearness of spirit, 
that requires not the ceremonies of the 
world's friendship to introduce, nor its arts to 
maintain. 

I have often been comforted in times of dis- 
couragement, with this mark of having pas- 
sed from death unto life, that I love the bre- 
thren ; I feel its prevalence at this time, and 
in it salute thee, thy dear husband and chil- 
dren, with fervent desires that he who hath 



272 

been your morning light and help hitherto, 
may be your staff to lean upon ! beloved an- 
cients in Israel, in this your decline of natu- 
tural strength, so as to fill up the station ah 
lotted vou in the church of Christ. Few are 
the ancients left, to whom the middle aged 
and rising youth can look with advantage ! — 
The Lord of heaven and earth hath gathered 
many to himself; the world, in its various 
appearances, hath slain many others ; and 
some, who are not yet dead, have their gar- 
ments so covered with dust, and spotted with 
defiling things, that they are not fit to be 
looked upon, nor their footsteps to be enqui- 
red after. But happy is the state of those 
advanced to old age, whose conduct pro- 
claims they have not followed cunningly de- 
vised fables, but have been made living wit* 
nesses of the power and coming of Christ ! 
These have been powerful inducements to me, 
to bow my heart in holy awe, from my child- 
hood to this day (I mean with respect to out- 
ward means) and, I am thankful to the great 
preserver of men, that there are such here and 
there to be found; and, though painful bap- 
tisms for Zion's sake may attend in viewing 
the backslidings of many, yet ability is given 
at times, to appeal with reverend confidence 



•2"" 



/o 



to the Searcher of Hearts. " Thou knowest 
u how I have walked before thee !" I trust 
this will be your crown of rejoicing, in an 
hour approaching, which I could wish very 
remote from you, except that the laws of na- 
ture proclaim it to be near ! 

The same love, and hearty well-wishing, 
attend your offspring ! may they so acquaint 
themselves with the God of their parents, as 
to stand in their lots, and be found worthy to 
have their names appear in the register of the 
Lamb's army ! Beloved young friends, suffer 
the advice of one that loves you (though out- 
wardly a stranger) to have place in your 
minds ; the experience of many years has 
taught me, that godliness is profitable to all 
things, and that real happiness is known in 
proportion to the progress of it in our hearts ; 
if you look round among your cotemporaries, 
you will find it a sealed truth, and unspeaka- 
bly comfortable to this wise number, who 
have sought, with unwearied diligence, the 
kingdom of God : first in time, as it is first in 
value. How beautiful upon the mountains 
have been the feet of these ! and how strong 
the voice with which their conduct has pro- 
claimed good tidings ! salvation hath been 
their portion, and peace their safe refuge ; 



274 

they have been qualified to maintain their tes- 
timony, and earnestly to contend for the faith 
once delivered to the saints. Where began 
these ? In the immediate operation of the 
power of Truth in their hearts, in a humble 
waiting, and resignation to the Divine will ! 
not making haste from under the refining 
hand : all who have known an advancement 
in true godliness, have begun upon this foun- 
dation ; upon this low ground, but sure foun- 
dation, your worthy parents began, and built 
with success, and now know how precious it 
is in advanced life. The dew of the everlast- 
ing hills, and a. sufficient share of the fatness 
of the earth, are the portion of every soul, 
which, above all other considerations, seeks 
the Lord in truth and sincerity. O ! saith my 
soul, may there be such a heart in you, as to 
fear the Lord Almighty, and keep his com- 
mandments always ! that it may be well with 
you, and your children. 

Thus my spirit salutes you, dear youth, 
in the spreading of concern for your good, 
that you may, by means of heavenly help, be 
made truly happy in yourselves, a comfort to 
your aged parents, and useful to your breth- 
ren in the church of Christ. 



275 

I have travelled with much diligence, ac- 
cording to the ability given, and have had my 
experience enlarged in rejoicing and suffer- 
ing ; the last has often been my lot, but I 
dare not repine ; to be what I ought is my 
only aim, and best wisdom knows the me- 
thod to make me so ; in his will I humbly 
acquiesce* 

LETTER CXXXIV. 

2d Mo. 4th, \757, 

THAT regard which Truth itself raised 
mutually in our hearts, is by no means im- 
paired ; it has often been revived since I left 
your land, and more especially so, upon my 
receiving the sorrowful tidings of the remo- 
val of thy dear husband -: a circumstance, in 
which the affliction is, like the loss, very ex- 
tensive ! Thou mournest the loss of a tender 
husband ; his children that of an affectionate 
father : the church laments on account of a 
pillar removed out of the place it filled, at a 
time when, to outward appearance, it was 
greatly wanted ! This sorrow is allowable ; 
for the great example of every virtue, even 
Jesus, wept for Lazarus. Nature demands it, 
when its connections are broken, and the 



276 

endearing, social ties dissolved ; but thoti 
well knowcsi that we are all pilgrims and 
strangers, as our fathers were, and are jour- 
neying on through this land of affliction, ^o- 
w r ards a city which hath foundations. Why 
should we grieve too much, when a compa- 
nion, with whom we have traversed many du- 
bious, anxious steps, has an entrance granted 
him into the holy city, a few moments be- 
fore us ! 

Upon all the glory of the earth, with all its 
enjoyments, upon every visible thing, one in- 
scription is written, as the immutable law of 
feim whose name is Most High — they shall 
perish : throughout all nature, and natural 
connexions, it has been, and must be veri- 
fied ! Equally fixed is this truth, the joy 
and song of many generations, but thou re- 
ntainest. On this everlasting husband, fa- 
ther, friend, and succour, mayst thou, and 
thine now 7 lean ! and know this dispensation 
sanctified, to all your help, in renewing dili- 
gence so to live and move, that when the 
great Shepherd shall appear, and all his 
fathful servants with him, your portion may 
be among them for ever ! 

And now I cannot avoid addressing my- 
self to you, the descendants of my honoura.- 



277 



blc friend. I am convinced the same gra- 
cious hand, which was his support and com- 
fort, has been extended to you, for the like 
good purpose ; but I am jealous, the want of 
religious depth, and simplicity God-ward, 
hath been the cause of halting, and of a choice 
rather to embrace the present world, and 
have a name of eminence in it, than to have 
a new name, which is the name of God, and 
the city of God. Thus will the tenders of 
everlasting treasure be disregarded, and the 
vain shadows of things be preferred to those 
riches, which none ever sought with too great 
diligence ; or, if they sold them, got their 
value in exchange ! 

A heart sincerely concerned for your help* 
cannot dictate flattery : I love you, and there- 
fore I write thus. I am also persuaded there 
is a seed and heritage that mourns in secret, 
because of its leanness, and honestly seeks 
relief from whence it hath ever come. May 
staoiiky and patience be the girdle of their 
loins! and, in the Lord's time this poor, sup- 
pliant, distressed seed, will delight itself in 
fatness. One hint, from my own experience, I 
would suggest to you ; let all your conduct 
demonstrate, that you remember the wonhy 
deceased with due affection, who, though he 

Aa 



278 

be dead as to the body, yet let him speak ; I 
have found it my duty, and a great advantage 
to me, to place in my view my worthy fa- 
ther ; and in matters of importance, or such 
as were dubious, to consult what would have 
pleased him, who was ripe in experience and 
judgment : I believe this reverence to the 
memory of a religious parent, is an oblation 
of sweet incense before the everlasting Fa- 
ther. 

Farewel, dear , may Israel's rock be 

thy safe abode ; mayst thou be kept fresh in 
spirit ; green and fruitful in old age ; united 
to him, and to the many generations of the 
just, who are entered into the city by the pearl 
gates. 

Farewel, ye descendants of the great and 
good, imitate their example ; as they have 
followed Christ, follow ye them : be wise, for 
it is true happiness ; in wisdom you will fear 
to offend, and this fear is an excellent de- 
fence. 

LETTER CXXXV. 

2d Mo. 6th, 1761. 

I AM much indebted to thee for the to- 
kens of thy remembrance of me, which I 



279 

have lately received ; there is room for re- 
newed encouragement to seek after that which 
rnaketh fruitful in old age, even covers with 
verdure and plenty all the trees of the Lord's 
house, according to their degrees of growth. 
I wish to cultivate my acquaintance with these 
signal instances of the mercy and power of 
him, who is the preserver of his people ; these 
have known him through all their day, from 
their beginning to advanced years ; they can 
commemorate his kindness in youth, his 
strength in the meridian of life, and his ten- 
der regard when the shadows of the evening 
approach. 

I observe with pleasure thy happy experi- 
ence of his regard ; may it be thy covering 
through the valley of the shadow 7 of death ! 
and may the everlasting arms be open to re- 
ceive thee, when thy race here is accomplish- 
ed ! I have strong hopes that the ties of na- 
ture, the example of honourable parents, their 
solicitude, the weight of filial duty, the evi- 
dence of the beauty and usefulness of reli- 
gion, and the importance of Divine favour, 
will combine to excite thy children to renew 
their endeavour to walk in that path, which 
all the generations of the righteous have had 
to tread in, in their way to glory and peace. 



280 

Not all the wisdom of the world, nor the 
fallacious promises of its favour, are able to 
direct to this path : the way-faring man, who 
is on his pilgrimage, in weakness, beset- 
ments, and poverty, shall not err in his seek- 
ing, though he may be accounted simple ; it 
is better to be a fool for Christ's sake, than 
wise in all the w 7 isdom of this world ! 

Farewel, dear friend, I love to hear from 
thee. 

LETTER CXXXVL 

6th Mo. 2fth, 1760. 

IN a sense of that sympathy and union 
which renders the Church of Christ a com- 
pact body, I affectionately salute thee. I can- 
not doubt of the propriety of thy mission to 
that f part of the Lord's vineyard, and it is 
my desire, that the wisdom and power of 
Truth may seal its own evidence on all thy 
labours. Tho' I apprehend myself a youn- 
ger brother, and now addressing myself to 
one who was in Christ before me, permit me 
to offer to thy consideration a few sentiments, 
which have made impression usefully on my 
heart. 

* America, 



281 



It is an awful thing to assume the name of 
the Lord's ambassador ; and I believe thou 
considei est it so : from hence appear the obli- 
gations we are under to receive from him, 
not only his instruction, but our credentials. 
These will not be withheld, if we wait our 
Master's time ; his sound will be certain, 
and his discoveries clear ; we shall not say, 
with Ahimas, when I ran there was a tumult, 
but shall distinctly receive, and deliver our 
Master's message, in his own wisdom and 
spirit. 

In all our service, let us remember our 
Lord's dignity, and endeavour to maintain it, 
according to the proportion of strength vouch- 
safed, in purity of life, and singleness to him 
in our ministerial capacity, being empty with- 
out him. and only filled with his fulness. 

Let us learn to try the spirits, whether they 
be of God ; I have seen a danger of being ta- 
ken by the passions ; the passionate preacher 
hath affected the passionate hearer, both have 
been in raptures, and neither of them profited. 
This is a place I would endeavour to guard 
thee in, as I am apprehensive the emotions of 
thy mind are sometimes strong and animat- 
ed ; mistake not the warmth of passion for 
gospei authority ; the first is like the rattling 

A a 2 



282 

thunder, which frights, but never hurts ; the 
last is like the lightning from the east, v^hich 
illuminates, and, at times, breaks through all 
opposition, and melts away every obstruc- 
tion. I know the integrity of thy heart, and 
therefore, with unreserved freedom, I re- 
mind thee of these things. May thy Urim 
and Thummim be with the Holy One !*look 
carefully to him in all thy goings, so shalt 
thou dip thy foot in " oil when thou treacl- 
" est on high places, and the arms of thy 
" hands be strengthened by the mighty God 
" of Jacob." If deep poverty be thy lot, be 
not disquieted, neither pour forth thy com- 
plaints to any mortal ; have no confident but 
everlasting help ; I found it safe to wear my 
sackcloth on my loins, and my best garments 
honestly and sparingly. 

In the course of thy passage, be courteous 
to all, unless restrained by secret direction 
as to any particular ; which has been my ex- 
perience, in some parts. Let not affability en- 
ervate thy mind, nor lead from a steady supe- 
riority attending the faithful minister ; yet 
guard against a spirit which leads zealous 
people sometimes to say, there is none righ- 
teous, no not one> and therein to overlook the 
hidden suffering seed. Let thy eye be in thy 



£83 

head, so shall thy goings be ordered of the 
Lord, and be attended with peace to thy- 
self, comfort to the living, and general use- 
fulness to the church. 

Farewel ! — May the Lord of all consolation 
be with thee in every trial, support thee by his 
arm, enrich thee by his grace, replenish thee 
by his wisdom, and comfort thee by his rod 
and staff! 



LETTER CXXXVIL 

2d Mo. lft, 1768, 

OUR worthy friend and kinsman, who had 
been in a declining state for some time, fi- 
nished his course last sixth day night, and is 
to be interred to-morrow. I have often been 
with him, to my humbling instruction. His 
journeying for some time before his depar- 
ture, was in the region and shadow of death. 
I have sat by him, and accompanied his spi- 
rit, when the heavens were as brass, and he 
was seemingly excluded from good : this led 
to deep searching of heart, even, as he said, 
into holes and corners he had not suspected. 
He saw he had been short in the performance 
of that service which Truth would have led 
him into, had he been fully dedicated in heart, 



284 

to know and do his Master's will. But in 
adorable condescension he was visited afresh, 
and fed with a little bread, when ready to 
faint ; a degree of hope has revived ; a part 
of that crystal stream which is the sanctifica- 
tion and consolation of the whole city of God, 
arose in his soul ; and it increased from 
time to time, until it became like the waters 
Ezekiel saw, issuing from the threshold, a 
river to swim in, a river that can never be 
passed ! The holy canopy was often over our 
spirits when I visited him, to my comfort ; 
but I never so fully understood the force of 
this remark, " if the righteous scarcely be 
" saved /" 

The applause and esteem of the judicious 
and injudicious, regularity of conduct, his ar- 
rival at Bethel, and the remembrance of many 
bedewing seasons, all proved insufficient for 
his repose, and were among the heavens 
which might be shaken, that that which can- 
not be shaken may remain. He languished 
long in great pain previous to the separation 
of body and soul ; in which time it feelingly 
opened to my mind, that had his spirit been 
more disentangled from the love of lawful 
things, his warfare would have been more ea- 
sily accomplished, the fetters of mortality 



285 

more easily broken, and his spirit sooner 
have risen triumphant over death, hell, and 
the grave, and on the wings of seraphic love 
have ascended to the realms of purky and 
peace. But all is well. He is admitted to a 
mansion of rest ; and through his deep wa* 
dings, we are instructed with all diligence to 
fill up the measure of revealed duty, waiting 
for further discoveries of what may be the will 
of the Lord our God concerning us. 

LETTER CXXXVIII. 

18th of 6th Mo. 1765. 

I AM inclined to make use of an opportu- 
nity now presenting, to send thee the saluta- 
tion of my most sincere love, not without a 
sense of our heavenly Father's love, with 
which I hope thou art often comforted now 
in thy declining years ; and favoured with the 
evidence in thyself, of having in thy measure, 
through Divine assistance, walked with God. 
I need not attempt to express to thee, the im- 
portance of such an evidence, when the soul 
draws nigh her flight to the land from whence 
there is no return. It hath been the mark 
for the prize in thy view, and I am thankful 
to feel my heart stirred up to follow such ex- 



286 

amples; animated by their success, and the 
importance of the subject, to use all diligence 
to fill up my duty, that I may finish my coure 
with joy. 

My shattered constitution of en gives me 
intruction, and i-v.imates the graves are rea- 
dv ; yet it hath been consistent with Divine 
mercy and wisdom, to raise me up again, be- 
yond my expectation : and I hope I am bet- 
tered by my affliction, not only in what be- 
longs o me, as an individual, but also in that 
wherein I am joined by all the living, in the 
view of the state of the church in most places ; 
the use I would have us make of this view, is 
to gird up the loins of our minds ; that our ex- 
ample may be a strong reproof to the unfaith- 
ful, and thus collected in spirit, we may deep- 
ly feel after the putting forth of the Divine 
hand in service ; for though it can work effec- 
tually without instruments, yet it will also 
work by them ; and if the visited of God were 
enough devoted in heart to his service, in all 
the manifestations of duty, we should have 
more useful instruments in the church. But 
alas, for many, who, if they have followed to 
Bethel, content themselves there, and attain 
not a double portion of that spirit, which 



237 

those who steadily follow on, even through 
Jordan, are favoured with. 

This imperfect work bears undoubted tra- 
ces of the Creator's hand, but like half baked 
cakes, they seem to me to be no inconsidera- 
ble eclipse to Zion's beauty, and are often 
great obstructions in the way of others, as 
such who neither enter the kingdom of God 
themselves, nor suffer others. Nevertheless, 
the God of the whole earth is mindful of his 
family, and eminently favoured us in our last 
Yearly Meeting at London, from which I re- 
turned much recruited in bodily strength, 
and having my mind replenished with pre- 
cious dew. 

Salute, in my name, thy son and daughter ; 
may those who are of the younger class look 
to the business of the day ! the building up 
of the Lord's house more than their own ; 
unto him all our utmost dedication of spirit, 
time and labour, is due. My dear love at- 
tends you all. 



JINIS. 



INDEX 

TO MOST OF THE FOREGOING LETTERS, 



Letter I. & II. Samuel Fothergill's. 

III. to XII. } Doctor Samuel Rut 
inclusive. 3 ty's. 

XIII. Samuel FothergilPs. 

XV. XVI. XVII. and XXI. So- 

phia Hume's. 

XXII. to CXXII. *> Richard Shac- 
inclusive. 3 kleton's. 

CXXXIIL to the end, Samuel Foth- 
ergill's. 










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